Finance committee  On that point of order, Mr. Chair, first I'll note that the government members seem quite sensitive today. I guess I can understand after the run they've been on, trying to hide their cover-up. I did point out that when we're looking at tax harmonization, it's important to look at the context in both countries.

Finance committee  Without question, I am doing that, Mr. Chair. If I am allowed to finish, I will do that. That new Liberal tax will raise the cost of everyday items. It will raise the cost of services for Canadians and businesses. They're now paying more to get to work, to heat their homes and for the food they eat.

Finance committee  They certainly may be. That's what we don't know, right? That's why they're important questions.

Finance committee  On that point, Mr. Chair, no, I don't believe so. I've indicated already how there is a link here between SNC-Lavalin and Madagascar. I'm simply trying to determine whether these meetings related to that matter.

Finance committee  No, fair enough.

Finance committee  Okay. I do appreciate the comments the chair made that you certainly don't work in the finance minister's office, but you do work, obviously, at the Department of Finance to my understanding. On September 24, 2018 SNC-Lavalin officials met with Richard Botham, assistant deputy minister, economic development and corporate finance, at Finance Canada; with Paul Rochon, deputy minister, Finance Canada; and Tasha Hanes, chief of staff of the deputy minister of Finance about—and here I'm going to quote from the Commissioner of Lobbying's report—“Industry, International Relations, Justice and Law Enforcement”.

Finance committee  The same day, September 24, 2018, SNC-Lavalin officials met with the Minister of Finance and his chief of staff about justice and law enforcement, international relations and industry again. Do you know what that meeting was about?

Finance committee  On July 12, 2018, SNC-Lavalin officials met with Julian Ovens, chief of staff to the Minister of International Trade, and Phil Rheault, senior policy adviser to the Minister of International Trade, on, among other things, international trade and international relations. Do you know what came up at that meeting?

Finance committee  Okay. There has been a series of meetings here. It sounds to me as though we have a bit of a pattern and you're not aware of it. I can give you some other dates of some other meetings, but would you be able to get back to us on what those meetings would have been about? Again, on July 12, 2018, there was a meeting with Paul Rochon, deputy minister of finance; Rick Stewart, assistant deputy minister of international trade and finance; and Ava Yaskiel, associate deputy minister at Finance.

Finance committee  SNC-Lavalin owned a project in Madagascar from 2014 to the end of September of 2015 called Ambatovy. It was one of the largest mines in the world, with an annual capacity of 60,000 tonnes of nickel and 5,600 tonnes of cobalt. SNC-Lavalin provided the engineering, procurement and construction management services for several plants related to that mine.

Finance committee  Can I respond to that point of order, Mr. Chair?

Finance committee  Yes, I'm happy to do that. Obviously, the indications I am making in my comments, and I certainly have much more to say yet, in relation to the motion itself, are that I have a colleague who wants the opportunity to participate in this final decision. That's not being enabled. I think the fact that this was brought forward for a debate here is problematic from that perspective.

Finance committee  I'll go through Mr. Kmiec's concerns point by point. He has brought forward this amendment. I think I have it correctly in front of me now. Again, this does speak to that whole point I was making, that we've come here and we've debated this for enough time. Having said that, it wasn't really a part of the agenda for today and people didn't come with all the information.

Finance committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair. First to his points, and I believe you've actually given them different lettering, but it is a) on the sheet I have.

Finance committee  His a) would be d), just so I have my frame correct. I'm going to do that really quickly, and then I will carry on. What would become point d) then? These are the things he would like to see included in any motion as far as giving a bit more context around what the study would look like.