Industry Committee on May 30th, 2019

Evidence of meeting #165 for Industry, Science and Technology in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was scientists.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

M-208, Rural Digital Infrastructure

Main Estimates 2019-20: Votes 1, 5, 10 and 15 under Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Votes 1, 5, 10, 15 and 20 under Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, Votes 1, 5 and 10 under Canadian Space Agency, Votes 1 and 5 under Canadian Tourism Commission, Vote 1 under Copyright Board, Votes 1, 5, 10, L15, L20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65 and 70 under Department of Industry, Votes 1, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 under Department of Western Economic Diversification, Votes 1, 5 and 10 under

MPs speaking

Also speaking

David McGovern Associate Deputy Minister, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, Department of Industry

9:10 a.m.

Conservative

Michael Chong Conservative Wellington—Halton Hills, ON

The problem is that she hasn't been given a sufficient mandate—

9:10 a.m.

Liberal

Kirsty Duncan Liberal Etobicoke North, ON

She has been given—

9:10 a.m.

Conservative

Michael Chong Conservative Wellington—Halton Hills, ON

—to do her job. She has been struggling to find that role in the government, so it's much like—

9:10 a.m.

Liberal

Kirsty Duncan Liberal Etobicoke North, ON

If I could finish—

9:10 a.m.

Conservative

Michael Chong Conservative Wellington—Halton Hills, ON

—a lot of the rhetoric coming out of the government—

9:10 a.m.

Liberal

Kirsty Duncan Liberal Etobicoke North, ON

If I could finish—

9:10 a.m.

Conservative

Michael Chong Conservative Wellington—Halton Hills, ON

There has been a big disconnect between the rhetoric and what has actually been delivered, whether it's the Naylor report, which recommended certain funding levels that have not been fulfilled; whether it's appointing a new chief science adviser who wasn't given a sufficient mandate to carry out her role—

9:10 a.m.

Liberal

Kirsty Duncan Liberal Etobicoke North, ON

If I could actually respond—

9:10 a.m.

Conservative

Michael Chong Conservative Wellington—Halton Hills, ON

—or whether it's the creation of a coordinating council—

9:10 a.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Dan Ruimy

Mr. Chong, sorry, but you are over time.

9:10 a.m.

Conservative

Michael Chong Conservative Wellington—Halton Hills, ON

Fair enough, but just let me finish my sentence.

9:10 a.m.

Liberal

Kirsty Duncan Liberal Etobicoke North, ON

Well, I wasn't given that opportunity.

9:10 a.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Dan Ruimy

I would like to make sure the minister has a chance to respond to your question.

9:10 a.m.

Conservative

Michael Chong Conservative Wellington—Halton Hills, ON

Fair enough.

9:10 a.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Dan Ruimy

You are over time. We're at eight minutes. I've allowed—

9:10 a.m.

Conservative

Michael Chong Conservative Wellington—Halton Hills, ON

Mr. Chair, I agree. I just want to finish my sentence, please, if I might.

9:10 a.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Dan Ruimy

I would like the minister to be able to have a moment to respond to you, please.

9:10 a.m.

Conservative

Michael Chong Conservative Wellington—Halton Hills, ON

May I finish my sentence?

May 30th, 2019 / 9:10 a.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Dan Ruimy

Go ahead.

9:10 a.m.

Conservative

Michael Chong Conservative Wellington—Halton Hills, ON

There has been a huge disconnect between the rhetoric and the reality of what the government has delivered, and I believe that also includes the science portfolio.

9:10 a.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Dan Ruimy

I will allow the minister time to respond.

9:10 a.m.

Liberal

Kirsty Duncan Liberal Etobicoke North, ON

With a $10-billion investment, we've changed the trajectory for science and research in this country.

Dr. Nemer is doing important work.

I will remind the honourable member, I'm glad to hear his respect for Dr. Naylor today, but I wish it was shown when his government was in power.

You buried the report. You ignored his report, and what he asked for was $1 billion for health innovation.

9:10 a.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Dan Ruimy

Thank you very much.

Before we move on to Mr. Masse, I want to remind everybody to try to not talk over each other. We want to have respectful dialogue and questions and answers here. It will make it easier for everybody to be able to get the questions and answers that they'd like.

Mr. Masse, you have seven minutes.

9:10 a.m.

NDP

Brian Masse NDP Windsor West, ON

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

To start, I'm going to move to something a little easier to deal with. It's actually related to your position as Minister of Sport.

Given the fact that the Toronto Raptors are in a historic position today....

9:10 a.m.

Some hon. members

Hear, hear!