Evidence of meeting #23 for Industry, Science and Technology in the 43rd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was hahlweg.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Interpreter, Translation Bureau, Department of Public Works and Government Services
Kathleen Ratel
It seemed better. If we can get one or two more sentences, we'll be able to give you an answer.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Sherry Romanado
Thank you.
Mr. Hahlweg, can you just say a few more words? We're going to test it. Then, if it's not right, we'll go to the next witness while we try to help you with your technology.
Assistant Director, Requirements, Canadian Security Intelligence Service
Understood.
Foreign states have engaged in espionage and foreign interference, targeting Canada for years. This is not new activity. CSIS Director Vigneault has spoken publicly about the impact of these threats to Canada's economy and national interest, including—
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Sherry Romanado
Unfortunately, the interpreter is telling us that the sound is not good enough.
What we're going to do, Mr. Hahlweg, is go to the next speaker while we try to fix your microphone, because we have a very short time in the first panel. We'll have IT get in touch with you while we are going with the next speaker.
Assistant Director, Requirements, Canadian Security Intelligence Service
Understood.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Sherry Romanado
Thank you.
Mr. Davies, if you wouldn't mind, we will give you five minutes.
Mitch Davies Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Industry Sector, Department of Industry
Thank you, Madam Chair, for this opportunity to discuss the Investment Canada Act related to the committee's study.
I am the senior assistant deputy minister of the industry sector for Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, and deputy director of investments, responsible for supporting the director of investments in advising the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry on the Investment Canada Act.
In my brief opening remarks, I would like to provide background to the committee on how we administer the act, including in the current context shaped by COVID-19.
As has been widely recognized, foreign direct investment plays an important role—
Bloc
Sébastien Lemire Bloc Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC
Madam Chair, I'm sorry to interrupt the witness, but the interpreter says she'll have to stop because of the poor sound quality. We don't have interpretation for this witness either.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Sherry Romanado
Okay.
We're going to suspend for one moment while we see what we can do.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Sherry Romanado
I'm going to reconvene this meeting.
We are unfortunately having difficulty with interpretation, so while we might be able to hear testimony verbatim, this is not ideal for testimony, nor is it ideal for questioning and answering.
Unfortunately, it looks like we will have to adjourn this meeting and reschedule it for another time so that we can make sure to have proper interpretation.
Liberal
Emmanuella Lambropoulos Liberal Saint-Laurent, QC
I have a point of order, Madam Chair.
Would it not be possible for us to take 10 minutes to read the testimony we have in both official languages and then come back to ask questions?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Sherry Romanado
The difficulty is that we can't ask questions because interpretation will not work for the questions and answers. This unfortunately means we can't proceed.
I'm sorry about this, but obviously we cannot have a meeting without official translation. Unfortunately I have to adjourn this meeting.
My apologies to our witnesses. We will be in touch with you to reschedule, and I will be in touch with committee members to reschedule this meeting.
With that, I call this meeting adjourned.