On a point of order, Ms. Guergis.
Evidence of meeting #23 for International Trade in the 39th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was money.
Evidence of meeting #23 for International Trade in the 39th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was money.
Conservative
Helena Guergis Conservative Simcoe—Grey, ON
I'm sorry, we seem to be discussing the main motion at this time. I think we should vote on the amendment and proceed.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Leon Benoit
We have a list for the main motion, Mr. Cannan. We are now dealing with the proposed amendment.
Does anyone else wish to speak on the proposed amendment, or should we just go to a vote?
On a point of order, Mr. Proulx.
Liberal
Marcel Proulx Liberal Hull—Aylmer, QC
I just want to make sure we understand what the amendment includes. Are we talking about an amendment that would change and say “Vancouver, Thunder Bay, and Saguenay”?
Conservative
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Leon Benoit
So we will vote on that proposed amendment. Are you ready for the vote?
NDP
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Leon Benoit
Now we'll proceed to the motion.
Ms. Guergis, you're on the list to speak to the motion.
Conservative
Helena Guergis Conservative Simcoe—Grey, ON
Thanks very much.
Actually, looking at the wording of the motion, I find that since the Province of British Columbia has actually come out in support of the deal, I'm not sure why we'd need to go there. In addition to that, we have a news release here from the Coast Forest Products Association, who have said that this deal is an important step in fixing forestry. So we have considerable support from the province of British Columbia. Again, as has been mentioned here, we'll see what happens with respect to the industry.
But more importantly, have some names been submitted to the clerk that perhaps have not been accommodated at committee?
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Leon Benoit
Ms. Guergis, just so there's a clear answer to that, the clerk has indicated that everyone who has requested to come before the committee and all those witnesses put forth by the opposition who could come and would agree to come have in fact been accommodated.
Conservative
Helena Guergis Conservative Simcoe—Grey, ON
Also, am I correct in understanding that we actually fund witnesses to come before the committee?
Conservative
Helena Guergis Conservative Simcoe—Grey, ON
So every single member of this committee, including Mr. Julian, Mr. Paquette, and Mr. Boshcoff through his other Liberal colleagues, has had an opportunity to submit lists of names of people who want to participate and give a presentation at committee. We've been hearing from the clerk clearly that anyone who has asked to be here has been accommodated. We cover their costs, so it's not an issue of costs for the industry. I'm not sure why we're doing this, except for some grandstanding and an opportunity for some more political rhetoric on behalf of the opposition here.
So I am completely opposed to it, and I am again reinforcing the fact that the Province of British Columbia has come forward in support of it, and the Coast Forest Products Association is, of course, in support of it. I still feel very confident that we're going to see a great deal of the industry come forward, because they have obviously negotiated and spoken with their premier in British Columbia in order for the Province of British Columbia to come out and say they do support the deal.
For that reason, I am opposed to it. We've been very accommodating, and there is no reason they could not have come here.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Leon Benoit
Thank you, Ms. Guergis.
We do have more people to speak on this. I would like to remind members of the committee that later this afternoon, in fact, we have representatives from the two biggest companies in British Columbia before this committee. So please keep that in mind as we continue the debate on the motion.
Monsieur Proulx, for debate on the motion.
Liberal
Marcel Proulx Liberal Hull—Aylmer, QC
Thank you.
I just want to remind my colleague, and her colleague, that we are talking of three important regions in the country that have suffered and will continue to suffer because of this deal. I appreciate the fact that we pay travel expenses, or costs, for these witnesses to come to a committee, but we have to realize that if you're from British Columbia or northwestern Ontario, it takes more than the two or three hours that you're sitting here at the table and testifying. It implies a few days. We certainly do not pay for lost wages. We don't pay for lost profit. We don't pay for replacement costs. It's one thing to say that we invite these witnesses and pay their expenses, but it's another thing to say that they don't lose anything.
I think it would be a wise move for the committee to go to these three different regions and make sure that we hear everything from all of the citizens who want to testify. I think it's important that the government take the time to look after the interests of these three different regions.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Conservative
Helena Guergis Conservative Simcoe—Grey, ON
I just want to add that perhaps my colleagues could show me lists of people who have said they wanted to come before the committee--and perhaps that's why you've made the decision to do this--because we've heard from no one saying that they weren't given an opportunity to come before committee. I'm curious as to whether there are any lists out there of people who haven't been accommodated, because as I've said, we have already accommodated everyone who has asked to come before committee.
I would remind my honourable colleague that I don't need any reminder. I know about the devastation the regions and the communities and the families have felt because of this dispute. Of course that has been the focus of our government--to find a deal to help the industry and the communities and those who have suffered.
