Industry Committee on Nov. 24th, 2020

[Sébastien Lemire, Bloc, Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I have two comments. First, in terms of Internet access, the solution depends on having more competitors. In my opinion, the programs currently in place are a failure, particularly in remote areas. I sincerely urge you to make changes to the structure of the programs to ensure that all Quebecers and Canadians will be connected well before the 2026 deadline.

Next, I want to ask my colleague Mr. Amos to pass on a message to Minister Joly. In the regions of Quebec, funding isn't provided solely by the CFDCs, but also by many Quebec economic partners. Most funded projects come from the Quebec government. I'd add that this isn't trivial information. The fact remains that, since our taxes are divided between the two levels of government, the budgets allocated by and for the regions for their development must also come from both levels of government, in a decentralized way.

We know that 15 major universities receive almost 100% of research funding. In my view, this concentration should be eliminated through decentralization, again, by channelling funding to universities and colleges in the regions.

Last August, we met with representatives of the Université du Québec network. They told us that the federal government should provide major funding to support the universities' economic recovery efforts; to support the salaries of staff in research offices; to support distance learning for students, particularly international students; and to support paid internships in companies for students. In addition, they said that the management of federal funding should be entrusted to the provinces.

My questions are the following. Have you set aside funding since August to increase the amounts allocated to research, particularly for economic recovery purposes?

Will this funding be more decentralized?

[Simon Kennedy]

I just want to say that the government allocated—I forget the exact amount—about $450 million to research institutions and universities to ensure that, during the pandemic, they can continue their work in this important area of research related to COVID-19. I'd be pleased to share this information with you, if you want me to do so.

There are other research programs. The government manages these programs related to research on topics other than COVID-19.

[Sébastien Lemire, Bloc, Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Kennedy. It's always a pleasure to talk to you. I want to thank you and all the members of your team.

I'll be waiting for this information.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sherry Romanado]

Thank you very much. We'll now move to MP Masse.

You have the floor for two and a half minutes.

[Brian Masse, NDP, Windsor West, ON]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Something that hasn't been raised a lot is Buy America and Buy American, and then also our own domestic procurement that has gone directly to multinational corporations from the United States and to others.

Prior to COVID-19, there was always this idea that because of free trade, you can't do this and you can't do that. What has been circumventing that for these direct procurements for, say, some of the different partners we've had for PPE? What specifically have we been using to lock those contracts in without going to any type of competition bidding and going to American supply routes?

[Simon Kennedy]

I think I would suggest that the honourable member direct that question to Public Services and Procurement Canada because, frankly, most of the procurement action has been done by PSPC.

What I can say very briefly to answer the member's question as it regards ISED is that when it comes to the work that we do through the strategic innovation fund and the kinds of investments we have made through the SIF, I can assure the member that there's quite a bit of work done to protect Canadian interests and Canadian intellectual property within the contractual arrangements we reach.

However, with regard to contracting and procurement, I think it has to be PSPC that provides the specifics on those aspects.

[Brian Masse, NDP, Windsor West, ON]

Okay. No, that's helpful.

However, say, for example, that you're going to do a contract with Ford for, say, the masks and the shields that were done down here in Windsor. Do you have to get final sign-off, with a review for trade and regulatory agreements with Public Services and Procurement Canada or with a trade assessment?

[Simon Kennedy]

Without speaking of a specific contract, because again, I want to be mindful of that—

[Brian Masse, NDP, Windsor West, ON]

Okay, that is fair enough.

[Simon Kennedy]

Generally speaking, to the member's question, absolutely, trade is a consideration. Certainly the lawyers look at the agreements that are signed. We want to make sure Canadian interests are protected.

I'm not speaking about any specific contract, but there are certainly exceptions for things like national security and emergencies and those sorts of things. While as a general rule we are concerned about Buy American and we want to make sure everybody plays by the rules, there are clear cases in which you can move quickly in the national interest. I would say that is the case generally, but we look at each one of those from that lens to make sure we're not doing something wrong or putting our foot wrong.

[Brian Masse, NDP, Windsor West, ON]

That is great. Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sherry Romanado]

Thank you very much.

With that we will have to end our questioning, because we have to move into the votes for the main estimates. I'd like to thank our witnesses again for their time today, and their testimony. If any follow-up is required.... I know there was some documentation requested of the deputy minister. Could you please make sure that it gets to the clerk so that he can circulate it to the committee members?

With that, before us we have the various votes under the main estimates. I believe there is some agreement here, but I would like to ask the committee if there is consent to carry all the votes on division and report the same back to the House.

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Chair, Liberal, Sherry Romanado]

That is perfect. Thank you.

ATLANTIC CANADA OPPORTUNITIES AGENCY

Vote 1—Operating expenditures..........$68,395,032

Vote 5—Grants and contributions..........$223,992,801

(Votes 1 and 5 agreed to on division)

CANADIAN NORTHERN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGENCY

Vote 1—Operating expenditures..........$17,365,446

Vote 5—Grants and contributions..........$45,339,219

(Votes 1 and 5 agreed to on division)

CANADIAN SPACE AGENCY

Vote 1—Operating expenditures..........$195,845,837

Vote 5—Capital expenditures..........$51,745,453

Vote 10—Grants and contributions..........$67,965,000

(Votes 1, 5 and 10 agreed to on division)

CANADIAN TOURISM COMMISSION

Vote 1—Payments to the Commission..........$95,665,913

(Vote 1 agreed to on division)

COPYRIGHT BOARD

Vote 1—Program expenditures..........$3,834,507

(Vote 1 agreed to on division)

DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRY

Vote 1—Operating expenditures..........$459,957,408

Vote 5—Capital expenditures..........$7,433,000

Vote 10—Grants and contributions..........$2,389,191,705

Vote L15—Payments pursuant to subsection 14(2) of the Department of Industry Act..........$300,000

Vote L20—Loans pursuant to paragraph 14(1)(a) of the Department of Industry Act..........$500,000

(Votes 1, 5, 10, L15 and L20 agreed to on division)

DEPARTMENT OF WESTERN ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION

Vote 1—Operating expenditures..........$42,274,210

Vote 5—Grants and contributions..........$228,161,383

(Votes 1 and 5 agreed to on division)

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF CANADA FOR THE REGIONS OF QUEBEC

Vote 1—Operating expenditures..........$40,468,977

Vote 5—Grants and contributions..........$255,628,788

(Votes 1 and 5 agreed to on division)

FEDERAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGENCY FOR SOUTHERN ONTARIO

Vote 1—Operating expenditures..........$30,390,354

Vote 5—Grants and contributions..........$218,183,579

(Votes 1 and 5 agreed to on division)

NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL OF CANADA

Vote 1—Operating expenditures..........$454,716,057

Vote 5—Capital expenditures..........$56,400,030

Vote 10—Grants and contributions..........$461,135,770

(Votes 1, 5 and 10 agreed to on division)

NATURAL SCIENCES AND ENGINEERING RESEARCH COUNCIL

Vote 1—Operating expenditures..........$54,411,479

Vote 5—Grants..........$1,304,972,077

(Votes 1 and 5 agreed to on division)

SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES RESEARCH COUNCIL

Vote 1—Operating expenditures..........$34,825,266

Vote 5—Grants..........$938,395,419

(Votes 1 and 5 agreed to on division)

STANDARDS COUNCIL OF CANADA

Vote 1—Payments to the Council..........$18,321,000

(Vote 1 agreed to on division)

STATISTICS CANADA

Vote 1—Program expenditures..........$539,369,331

(Vote 1 agreed to on division)

[The Chair, Liberal, Sherry Romanado]

Thank you so much, everyone. I look forward to seeing you on Thursday.

With that, the meeting is adjourned.