INDU Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology met in camera at 3:37 p.m. this day, in Room 308, West Block, the Chair, James Rajotte, presiding.

It was agreed, — That the proposed budget for the Committee's study of Canada's Access to Medicines Regime in the amount of $ 12,500, for the period of March 28, 2007 to June 30, 2007 be adopted.

It was agreed, — That the proposed budget for the Committee's study of Counterfeiting and piracy of intellectual property in the amount of $ 12,500, for the period of March 28, 2007 to June 30, 2007 be adopted.

It was agreed, — That the Committee hear from Government officials at its meeting on Canada's Access to Medecines Regime on Monday, April 16, 2007.

It was agreed, — That the Committee hear from non-governmental organisations and others at its meeting on Canada's Access to Medecines Regime on Wednesday, April 18, 2007; that the meeting be extended to three hours; that the Members provide suggestions to the Chair of how to reduce the number of witnesses on the draft witness list accordingly; and that the Chair be given the discretion to reduce the list if necessary.

It was agreed, — That the Committee hear witnesses from the pharmaceutical industry at its meeting on Monday, April 23, 2007; that the witnesses be as follows: one representative of Canada's Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies (Rx&D) with one representative of one of the Association's members, and one representative of the Canadian Generic Pharmaceutical Association with one representative of one of the Association's members; and that all four witnesses appear simultaneously for the full two hours from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.

It was agreed, — That, on behalf of the Committee, the Chair write a letter to the Minister requesting that the Government's accelerated statutory review of the relevant Patent Act provisions of Canada's Access to Medecines Regime be tabled in the House prior to the Committee’s review of Canada's Access to Medecines Regime.

It was agreed, — That the Committee proceed to sit in public.

At 4:55 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 4:55 p.m., the sitting resumed.

Paul Crête moved, — That the Committee report to the House recommending that the Minister of Industry withdraw the order varying Telecom Decision CRTC 2006-15 and table in Parliament a comprehensive package of policy, statutory and regulatory reforms to modernize the telecommunications services industry.

Debate arose thereon.

A point of order was raised that, there being no other names on the Chair's speaking list, the Chair should put the question.

The Chair ruled that as long as there were members who wanted to participate in debate on the motion, debate would continue.

Whereupon, Brian Masse appealed the decision of the Chair.

The question: "Shall the decision of the Chair be sustained?" was put and the decision was overturned on the following recorded division: YEAS: André Arthur, Colin Carrie, Bev Shipley, Dave Van Kesteren — 4; NAYS: Maurizio Bevilacqua, Scott Brison, Gerry Byrne, Paul Crête, Brian Masse, Dan McTeague, Robert Vincent — 7.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to on the following recorded division: YEAS: Maurizio Bevilacqua, Scott Brison, Gerry Byrne, Paul Crête, Brian Masse, Dan McTeague, Robert Vincent — 7; NAYS: André Arthur, Colin Carrie, Bev Shipley, Dave Van Kesteren — 4.

At 5:23 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.