Evidence of meeting #36 for Natural Resources in the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was candu.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Bloc
Bloc
Mario Simard Bloc Jonquière, QC
Maybe before we have that discussion, I would wait to see Mrs. Stubbs again. I spoke with her about this last week, and she told me that it might be acceptable. I told her that, similarly, when we want to hear from a minister, we don't want to hear from the parliamentary secretary. I'm not saying that as an insult to Mr. Guay or Mr. Hogan. We want to hear from the minister.
Similarly, when we ask to hear from a CEO, I find that it doesn't bode well that he would prefer to have someone else fill in, especially since what prompted us to invite him were statements that he made himself.
Personally, I would prefer if we could hear from him as a witness.
Liberal
Liberal
Claude Guay Liberal LaSalle—Émard—Verdun, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I also spoke to Mrs. Stubbs. When she communicated that to me, I told her that, on our side, we were okay with the CEO being replaced by his senior executives.
Perhaps you would like to talk to Mrs. Stubbs. That seems to be what Mr. Simard is indicating. We support this, if the other parties agree.
Bloc
Mario Simard Bloc Jonquière, QC
I would like to add one thing, Mr. Chair.
I think we would be setting an important precedent. When a committee sends an invitation and votes on a motion, it isn't so that the person invited can shirk their duties and get away with proposing other witnesses. For that reason, I would insist on letting the CEO know that we sent him a friendly invitation.
The committee is independent. It can make its own decisions. Now, if we accept this, any business leader will be able to say that they have a busy schedule and that they can't come and meet with us. They'll be able to get out of it that way.
A lot of federal government money is invested in oil and gas infrastructure, and one of the main players doesn't seem to believe that it's up to the private sector to invest in that. I want to hear from him, because this witness is very relevant to the study we're conducting. I don't want to hear from people who work with him. It's him I want to hear from.
I think we would be setting a troublesome precedent going forward.
Conservative
Gaétan Malette Conservative Kapuskasing—Timmins—Mushkegowuk, ON
I have the privilege of not understanding everything, but the ultimate goal here is to have someone who will give us answers. Sometimes, the person who passes it on to the person who will give us the answers is more important.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Terry Duguid
Colleagues, I'm at the will of the committee, of course.
I see Mr. Guay and then Mr. Hogan.
Liberal
Claude Guay Liberal LaSalle—Émard—Verdun, QC
Mr. Chair, we're doing a study. The study is related to energy exports. If the gentlemen being proposed by Enbridge are officers of the company, which I suspect they are, they stand with their CEO. As far as I'm concerned, I would find it interesting to hear their point of view.
Liberal
Corey Hogan Liberal Calgary Confederation, AB
My comments are very similar.
I think it's useful to hear from Enbridge for the export study, regardless of who they send, as long as they send somebody who can provide answers. I'd also note that if we're dissatisfied after that, there are always remedies available to this committee.
It doesn't necessarily sound as though there's the consensus you were searching for, Chair. Maybe this is something we should discuss on Thursday.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Terry Duguid
Colleagues, can we do that? It might give us an opportunity to speak with the vice-chair and see what we can work out.
I will say, colleagues, that on your behalf, I sent a strongly worded letter. Thank you, Mr. Clerk, for helping me draft that.
Why don't we bring it up again on Thursday?
Thank you.