FINA Committee Meeting

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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

Meeting No. 30

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

The Standing Committee on Finance met in a televised session at 3:31 p.m. this day, in Room 253-D, Centre Block, the Chair, Rob Merrifield, presiding.

Members of the Committee present: Paul Crête, Hon. John McCallum, Hon. John McKay, Ted Menzies, Rob Merrifield, Thomas J. Mulcair, Hon. Garth Turner and Mike Wallace.

Acting Members present: Ken Boshcoff for Massimo Pacetti, Robert Bouchard for Jean-Yves Laforest, Hon. Joe Comuzzi for Dean Del Mastro and Bev Shipley for Rick Dykstra.

In attendance: Library of Parliament: Alexandre Laurin, Analyst.

Appearing: Hon. Gordon O'Connor, Minister of National Revenue.

Witnesses: As an individual: Emilio Rigato. City of Thunder Bay: Lynn Peterson, Mayor, Northwest Forestry Coalition. Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada: David Coles, President; Keith Newman, Director, Research. Quebec Forest Industry Council: Guy Chevrette, President and Chief Executive Director, Director of Communications; Jacques Gauvin, President and Chief Executive Officer Assistant. United Steelworkers: Joe Hanlon, President, Local 2693; Erin Weir, Economist.

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted by the Committee on Monday, March 3, 2008, the Committee resumed its study on Direct Assistance Measures and Fiscal Environment for the Forestry and Manufacturing Sectors.

Lynn Peterson, Guy Chevrette, Joe Hanlon, David Coles and Emilio Rigato made statements and, with the other witnesses, answered questions.

The Committee proceeded to the consideration of matters related to Committee business.

Paul Crête moved, — That the Committee report the following recommendations:

That the federal government consider the advisability of improving its action plan to assist the manufacturing and forestry sectors as quickly as possible, and that it use part of the $10.2 billion surplus forecast for the coming year to:

- study the feasibility of implementing a partially refundable investment tax credit for the manufacturing and forestry sectors and of enhancing the investment loan programs for companies undergoing restructuring

- make R&D tax credits refundable;

- inject new funding into the program to develop renewable energies from forests;

- significantly increase investments in the international lumber marketing program;

- restores the initial mandate of and funding for the Technology Partnerships Canada Program; and

- implement a refundable contributions program to allow companies to purchase new equipment.

Debate arose thereon.

Thomas J. Mulcair moved, — That the motion be amended by adding the following: “That the Committee hold a national forestry summit”.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Thomas J. Mulcair and it was agreed to on division.

After debate, the question was put on the motion, as amended, and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 7; NAYS: 3.

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

That the Committee report the following recommendations:

- make R&D tax credits refundable;

- inject new funding into the program to develop renewable energies from forests;

- significantly increase investments in the international lumber marketing program;

- restores the initial mandate of and funding for the Technology Partnerships Canada Program;

- implement a refundable contributions program to allow companies to purchase new equipment; and

- that the Committee hold a national forestry summit.

ORDERED, — That the Chair report the motion to the House.

At 4:30 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 4:33 p.m., the sitting resumed.

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted on February 11, 2008, the Committee proceeded to a briefing on Certain Former Employees of SDL Optics, Inc. Remission Order.

Hon. Gordon O'Connor, made a statement and answered questions.

At 5:16 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

Jean-François Pagé
Clerk of the Committee

2008/04/02 4:45 p.m.