Evidence of meeting #105 for Industry, Science and Technology in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was meeting.
A recording is available from Parliament.
12:25 p.m.
Liberal
Peter Fragiskatos Liberal London North Centre, ON
I had the same question, Mr. Chair.
I'm not sure the committee would have the ability to do that, so I'm inclined to say no to my colleague—just to make that clear. I'm not sure the committee's in the position to do what he's asking.
12:25 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Joël Lightbound
Thank you, Mr. Fragiskatos. I have the same question, because the way I know the act works, this committee has no bearing on it.
Mr. Lemire.
12:25 p.m.
Bloc
Sébastien Lemire Bloc Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC
I think the motion is reasonable. In light of the previous studies we've done, it's important that this committee be able to weigh in on this kind of issue and ask for some form of accountability from the minister.
Would Bill C‑34 make it possible to go further than the current legislation? However, it hasn't yet completed the legislative process in the Senate. In the meantime, I think committee members have a duty to make this request, if only to send a message to the minister that we're still concerned about the acquisition of companies. This shows the hegemony of China, which owns more rare resources, rare earths and lithium around the world.
So I would be in favour of adopting this motion. If that's not possible, it will be declared null and void. At least the committee members will have sent a message to the minister so he knows that we want this work to be done through the Investment Canada Act.
12:25 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Joël Lightbound
I understand.
Thank you, Mr. Lemire.
Mr. Masse, you have the floor.
December 14th, 2023 / 12:25 p.m.
NDP
Brian Masse NDP Windsor West, ON
I just want to be clear. Do we know where Bill C-34 is in the Senate? Will it get...? I guess we really won't know, over the next couple of days, whether it will get finished and out of the Senate. It would take care of that, but in the meantime it's still not in law.
12:25 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Joël Lightbound
Mr. Masse, I'm informed by our vice-chair, Mr. Perkins, that it is at second reading in the Senate.
Mr. Sorbara.
12:25 p.m.
Liberal
Francesco Sorbara Liberal Vaughan—Woodbridge, ON
I have a clarification question. If Bill C-34 is in the Senate, is there any particular Senate group holding it up?
12:25 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Joël Lightbound
Truth be told, Mr. Sorbara, I haven't paid that close attention to what's happening in the Senate. It's just proceeding slowly.
Mr. Perkins.
12:25 p.m.
Conservative
Rick Perkins Conservative South Shore—St. Margarets, NS
I had a brief chat with the minister about it when we were having the 30 hours of votes. I asked him what was going on, and he didn't know. I said that it's at second reading. We agreed that we would both talk to our respective sides—of which there are lots of other folks in there—to see why it's not moving forward. I think it's only had the initial sponsor speech at second reading, so it's not even very far into the second reading.
They haven't made it a priority, apparently, in the Senate.
12:25 p.m.
NDP
Brian Masse NDP Windsor West, ON
My bill is held up in the Senate, too, with several others. There are active negotiations, but I don't know whether this one is going to be included in it. There are a number of things that are being pushed around right now, but if Mr. Perkins is correct, then it's most likely not even going to get to the process that was.... There was an attempt to try to get some bills voted on before we broke and then just move them into committee. If that's not the case now, it likely isn't going to be the case in the next 48 hours.
12:25 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Joël Lightbound
Okay. Just in the interests of time, colleagues, we've all heard the terms of the motion, and I don't see any more speakers. I'll call the vote.
(Motion agreed to: yeas 6; nays 5 [See Minutes of Proceedings])
12:25 p.m.
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON
Is there time for one more motion?
12:25 p.m.
Some hon. members
Oh, oh!
12:25 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Joël Lightbound
Please, no. I hope I don't get a 106(4) in Christmas week, Mr. Perkins. I'll be monitoring closely.
I'll continue where I left off.
I want to thank the interpreters, the analysts, the clerk and the support staff.
Happy holidays, everyone. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
The meeting is adjourned.