Evidence of meeting #23 for Science and Research in the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was question.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

Members speaking

Before the committee

Schaan  Associate Deputy Minister, Department of Industry
Vats  Assistant Deputy Minister, Science and Research Sector, Department of Industry
Mélanie Joly  Minister of Industry

Maxime Blanchette-Joncas Bloc Rimouski—La Matapédia, QC

I'm asking for information, Madam Chair.

The Chair Liberal Salma Zahid

Do you have a point of order, MP Blanchette-Joncas?

Maxime Blanchette-Joncas Bloc Rimouski—La Matapédia, QC

Yes, I just want to know whether there will be an opportunity to ask the deputy minister additional questions, given that we have to eliminate a speaking turn.

The Chair Liberal Salma Zahid

We have to end this panel at 12:50, as I said at the beginning, so that we have a full one hour with Minister Joly. I think everyone agreed. That's why I'm giving two minutes to MP DeRidder and then two minutes to MP Deschênes-Thériault. It's so that we can end the panel at 12:50. That's a hard stop.

Maxime Blanchette-Joncas Bloc Rimouski—La Matapédia, QC

Yes, but—

The Chair Liberal Salma Zahid

To clarify, the witnesses will be here. Both the deputy minister and the assistant deputy minister will be on the second panel. If you want to ask them questions during the second panel, that will be your choice.

Maxime Blanchette-Joncas Bloc Rimouski—La Matapédia, QC

Yes, but how will we be able to—

The Chair Liberal Salma Zahid

Go ahead, MP Blanchette-Joncas.

Maxime Blanchette-Joncas Bloc Rimouski—La Matapédia, QC

I'm trying to make sure, Madam Chair, that committee members are not penalized for having to hear from the minister.

How can we ensure that all committee members can get their full speaking time as if it had been a full hour?

The Chair Liberal Salma Zahid

The minister is coming. I want to make sure that all MPs have a complete hour with Minister Joly, because we have a hard stop at two o'clock. Question period starts then.

She also has a hard stop at two o'clock. That's why I want to end this panel at 12:50. It's so we can start right at one o'clock, after all the sound checks, and have a complete one hour.

We are just wasting time. MP DeRidder will not be able to have her time if we don't allow her to go ahead now.

Maxime Blanchette-Joncas Bloc Rimouski—La Matapédia, QC

Madam Chair, have you consulted committee members to find out what they'll do so as not to waste time in the third round of questioning?

The Chair Liberal Salma Zahid

The third round of questioning will not happen if we have to stop at 12:50. Otherwise, we will have to cut time.

It is the members' will. If they want, I can continue until one o'clock, and then we will have to suspend the meeting for 10 minutes and Minister Joly will be here for only 50 minutes. It's up to the will of the members.

I see that everyone wants to have a complete hour with the minister.

Go ahead, MP Deschênes-Thériault.

Maxime Blanchette-Joncas Bloc Rimouski—La Matapédia, QC

I am MP Blanchette‑Joncas, Madam Chair.

The Chair Liberal Salma Zahid

Yes, go ahead, MP Blanchette-Joncas.

Maxime Blanchette-Joncas Bloc Rimouski—La Matapédia, QC

Are you listening to me or are you talking to your colleague, Madam Chair?

The Chair Liberal Salma Zahid

I can hear you, yes.

Maxime Blanchette-Joncas Bloc Rimouski—La Matapédia, QC

Is it possible to allow committee members to ask deputy ministers questions, since we are unable to get the full hour, since you are welcoming the minister earlier?

The Chair Liberal Salma Zahid

This is not a point of order.

I am going to MP DeRidder for two minutes. Please go ahead.

Maxime Blanchette-Joncas Bloc Rimouski—La Matapédia, QC

Madam Chair, I wish to raise a question of privilege.

The Chair Liberal Salma Zahid

Yes, go ahead.

Maxime Blanchette-Joncas Bloc Rimouski—La Matapédia, QC

Would you allow the committee members to ask the deputy ministers questions in writing, since we don't have the full hour because you decided to have the minister appear 10 minutes before the end of the meeting?

The Chair Liberal Salma Zahid

This is not a usual practice of the committee. This is not a point of privilege.

MP DeRidder, please go ahead.

Kelly DeRidder Conservative Kitchener Centre, ON

Thank you, Chair.

Thank you for being here today.

I am going to talk about Microsoft. They've announced a $7.5-billion investment in Canada for AI and data centres.

As my first question, do you agree with this investment by an American-owned company in Canadian data centres?

12:50 p.m.

Associate Deputy Minister, Department of Industry

Mark Schaan

We obviously are cognizant of the significant investment that Microsoft has made—

Maxime Blanchette-Joncas Bloc Rimouski—La Matapédia, QC

I have a point of order, Madam Chair.

I'm having trouble hearing the interpretation. Is it possible to check that, please? The sound seems to be coming from far away.