Evidence of meeting #24 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 investors.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Clerk of the Committee  Mr. Michael MacPherson
Jayson Hilchie  President and Chief Executive Officer, Entertainment Software Association of Canada
Yuri Navarro  Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director, National Angel Capital Organization

5:15 p.m.

Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director, National Angel Capital Organization

Yuri Navarro

I think northern Ontario is a great example. Mary, who is the manager of that group, is one of the members that I like to parade around in terms of everything that she has accomplished. Especially given the complexity of that geography and the economic profile of that geography, I think they've done a fantastic job with the fairly limited support they've received. That's a great example. Because of the economic profile of that jurisdiction, they have an overweight, I would suggest, in manufacturing investments. They invest a ton in products that either directly or indirectly have a manufacturing impact.

As for other regions, I would include Ontario. We see a lot of that in Ontario and in B.C. as well. The tax credit has been quite effective in B.C. in terms of accessing that capital. That's one example we point to.

In innovative approaches, though, I think northern Ontario definitely is one that has taken a unique approach. I think you need that for certain jurisdictions. The product has to fit the market, as we always say to our companies. I think that's a good example.

Quebec is another good example we always point to in innovative approaches. In Ontario, we always point to FedDev's IBI program. Essentially, the way it works is that if one of the angel investors is willing to invest in that company, FedDev will consider that company for a loan. That loan then leverages the angel investment that allows them to ramp up that company faster than they otherwise would.

There are a number of interesting examples. Those are the ones I always point to: the Quebec fund, the IBI program, and the tax credit in B.C. They are good examples that have generated certain outcomes that I think are measurable and positive.

5:15 p.m.

Liberal

Terry Sheehan Liberal Sault Ste. Marie, ON

I have a real quick question for Jayson. When we talk about rural Canada and the development of manufacturing—we know it, but we need our witnesses to describe it and say it to get on record—what is the importance of broadband to industry for producing products? Just in few seconds—

5:15 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Dan Ruimy

You're done.

5:15 p.m.

Liberal

Terry Sheehan Liberal Sault Ste. Marie, ON

It's vital.

5:15 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Dan Ruimy

You're done.

Mr. Nuttall, you have five minutes.

5:15 p.m.

Conservative

Alex Nuttall Conservative Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte, ON

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Regardless of that five minutes, it wasn't my expectation that we wouldn't be able to get to any other portion of the meeting today. I have motions I'd like to move regarding this current study and the invitation of some key members to bear witness to this committee.

In June the innovation minister made an announcement regarding innovation leaders and appointing a committee. Part C or 3—I can't remember if it was numeric or alphabetic—of this committee study is with regard to innovation in the manufacturing area: how do we make our manufacturing sector more competitive and how do we innovate and become that group of tomorrow?

I have a series of motions to invite those individuals to give testimony and provide advice to this committee, which in turn will provide advice to the government.

That said, I'll start with the first one. Copies are in both official languages and have been given to everyone.

As part of the committee's study on the manufacturing sector, I move:

That the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Economic Development of the House of Commons invite the Liberal party donor, and the quote “innovation leader,” Valerie Fox, appointed by Minister Bains on June 14th, to appear before the committee to speak about how we can make manufacturing more innovative.

I'll put that on the floor.

5:15 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Dan Ruimy

You're making a notice of motion. The clerk has them.

5:15 p.m.

Conservative

Alex Nuttall Conservative Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte, ON

It's not a notice of motion.

5:15 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Dan Ruimy

It says on there “Notice of Motion”.

5:15 p.m.

Conservative

Alex Nuttall Conservative Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte, ON

It's not a notice of motion for the day; it's regarding what's currently being discussed on the floor, so we can actually deal with it right now.

5:15 p.m.

A voice

It says “Notice of Motion”.

5:20 p.m.

Conservative

Alex Nuttall Conservative Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte, ON

Even though it says “Notice of Motion”, it doesn't affect.... I move the motion.

5:20 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Dan Ruimy

How come you're not just inviting them as your witnesses? I don't understand.

5:20 p.m.

Conservative

Alex Nuttall Conservative Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte, ON

I don't understand what your question is.

5:20 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Dan Ruimy

These are witnesses you want to invite.

5:20 p.m.

Conservative

Alex Nuttall Conservative Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte, ON

Yes. There are 10 of them that I want to invite.

5:20 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Dan Ruimy

Why don't you put them on the witness list?

5:20 p.m.

Conservative

Alex Nuttall Conservative Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte, ON

Because I don't have control over the witness list. I don't even get to talk about the witness list because it's dealt with at the subcommittee.

5:20 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Dan Ruimy

We talked about this at the last meeting. I suggested that you look back and you add people to the witness list.

5:20 p.m.

Conservative

Alex Nuttall Conservative Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte, ON

Absolutely. I'm putting them forward.

5:20 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Dan Ruimy

Okay. What's the challenge? What's the problem?

5:20 p.m.

Conservative

Alex Nuttall Conservative Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte, ON

Why is that a problem?

5:20 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Dan Ruimy

I didn't say there's a problem. I'm confused as to the way that you're doing this.

5:20 p.m.

Conservative

Alex Nuttall Conservative Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte, ON

I'm putting in the motion.

5:20 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Dan Ruimy

You want to move your motion right now is what you're trying to say.