Science and Research Committee on Feb. 5th, 2026

[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?

[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.