Industry Committee on Oct. 17th, 2022

[The Chair, Liberal, Joël Lightbound]

Thank you very much.

We'll move to MP Gaheer for five minutes.

[Iqwinder Gaheer, Liberal, Mississauga—Malton, ON]

Thank you, Chair, and thank you to the witnesses for making time.

My questions are largely for Mr. McGowan. I wanted to clarify earlier testimony that was made in response to a question posed by MP Masse. If you look at proposed subclause 3(2), it says:

In developing the framework, the Minister must consult with provincial government representatives responsible for transportation, environment and employment, and with Indigenous governing bodies...

It seems to me, Mr. McGowan, that the bill already includes consultation with indigenous governing bodies. Would you agree with that?

[Gil McGowan]

I would, and that's why I was less concerned about the question.

[Iqwinder Gaheer, Liberal, Mississauga—Malton, ON]

Great. I just wanted to get that out of the way.

The bill makes several mentions of ministers: the Minister of Environment, the Minister of Transport, the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Natural Resources, and any minister responsible for economic development in the prairie provinces.

Would you support the idea that a single minister should be in charge and that it should be the minister responsible for PrairiesCan?

[Gil McGowan]

I'm not sure I have a strong opinion on that. However, I am worried that in order for this to be successful, it probably should be under the responsibility of a single minister. Otherwise, all the effort may be dissipated among too many ministries and bureaucrats.

[Iqwinder Gaheer, Liberal, Mississauga—Malton, ON]

Thank you.

Do you think the Prairies need a bill to encourage collaboration among the various government and non-government stakeholders? As well, based on your testimony so far, with the gridlock and agitated approach to governance, do you think this bill could help facilitate getting past that gridlock?

[Gil McGowan]

I think it's apparent, on its face, that we need efforts to bring all the different stakeholders in the Prairies together for constructive discussions, including provincial governance. We don't have an organized framework to bring those stakeholders together, especially across provinces, and I think you've seen the result. It's bickering, name-calling and finger pointing.

I'm not sure whether the process contemplated by this bill will deal with that entirely, but it couldn't hurt. I think it is a very constructive suggestion from Mr. Carr. If implemented, it would help us to at least start the conversation among various stakeholders in the Prairies that have been stopped, so far, by politics and angry finger pointing.

[Iqwinder Gaheer, Liberal, Mississauga—Malton, ON]

I have one more question.

When provinces hear about federal bills, they often think about more red tape. When I read the bill, I don't see more red tape. What are your views on that?

[Gil McGowan]

In my mind, it boils down to the fact that this bill is creating a table where people can talk. Given the state of debate on issues related to the unfolding global energy transition and how we should respond to it, it's clear we need more opportunities to talk. Ffor that reason, I'm actually kind of baffled why anyone would be opposed to this bill.

[Iqwinder Gaheer, Liberal, Mississauga—Malton, ON]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Joël Lightbound]

Thank you very much.

Mr. Lemire, you have the floor for two minutes.

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

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Today we have some people from the space industry visiting us. So, as agreed, I'm going to give you notice of a motion that will be emailed to you shortly.

This motion provides that, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee undertake a study on the space industry, and examine strategic, political and economic opportunities related to the development of this industry. The motion also calls for the committee to examine different legislative approaches around the world, and leadership initiatives put forward by foreign powers; and to examine not only the impacts on cross-cutting issues such as security and sovereignty, but also the support and development of this industry, as well as the relevance of establishing a space policy. The motion finally requests that the testimony and documents already gathered by the committee during the 43rd Parliament on this subject be considered.

I am not asking that this motion be adopted today, but that it be placed on the agenda of a future meeting.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Joël Lightbound]

Thank you very much, Mr. Lemire.

You still have time to ask questions.

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

Given the time, I will yield the floor to my colleague Mr. Masse.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Joël Lightbound]

Thank you.

Mr. Masse, the floor is yours.

[Brian Masse, NDP, Windsor West, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you to my colleague.

I'm going to wrap up too, because I know the time and we have interpreters who are....

I want to be clear, though: Consultation with first nations is in the bill. Mr. Carr did put that in the bill. It's clearly there. The issue I'm trying to figure out is this one: We've now told them how they're going to be consulted, as opposed to asking them first if they even support or like the bill. Hopefully, we'll hear that from different groups and organizations in the coming days, because they've been told that this is the process. That gives me a bit of concern about the sensitivity of it.

I understand, Mr. McGowan, your position, as well. This place does move at glacier speed. It is something. Perhaps we'll hear more from people. Also, I didn't want to insinuate that Mr. Carr didn't put consultation in his bill.

Thank you. Thank you to the witnesses today.

[The Chair, Liberal, Joël Lightbound]

Mr. Masse, thank you for the clarification.

I thank all the witnesses for taking the time to come and meet with our committee. It's much appreciated.

Thanks to all of you, colleagues. I wish you a good afternoon.

This meeting is adjourned.