FINA Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Finance met in a televised session at 11:04 a.m. this day, in Room 237-C, Centre Block, the Chair, James Rajotte, presiding.

Peggy Nash moved, — That the Standing Committee on Finance a) undertake a study of youth employment across Canada, including i) the factors contributing to a high rate of youth unemployment, ii) the economic impact of youth un- and underemployment, iii) the benefits and costs of paid and unpaid internships, and iv) options to provide greater labour protections to interns; b) that the Committee make recommendations to the Government of Canada to improve youth employment outcomes in Canada; and c) that the Committee report its findings to the House of Commons.

Debate arose thereon.

Andrew Saxton moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing the words “ including, i) the factors contributing to a high rate of youth unemployment, ii) the economic impact of youth un- and underemployment, iii) the benefits and costs of paid and unpaid internships, and iv) options to provide greater labour protections to interns; b) that the Committee make recommendations to the Government of Canada to improve youth employment outcomes in Canada and c) that the Committee report its findings to the House of Commons” with the words “b) that the Committee make recommendations to the Government of Canada to improve youth employment outcomes in Canada; and c) that the Committee report its findings to the House of Commons”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Andrew Saxton and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 10; NAYS: 1.

The question was put on the motion, as amended, and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 12; NAYS: 0.

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

That the Standing Committee on Finance a) undertake a study of youth employment across Canada, b) that the Committee make recommendations to the Government of Canada to improve youth employment outcomes in Canada; and c) that the Committee report its findings to the House of Commons.

Murray Rankin moved, — That the Committee invite the Minister for National Revenue, and the appropriate officials, to appear before the Committee before Friday, December 6th, 2013, to discuss allegations of corruption at the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) offices in Montreal, which appear to require immediate attention and serious action, and that the Minister be given up to ten (10) minutes for her opening statement; and, that the meeting be televised.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 5; NAYS: 6.

Pursuant to the order adopted by the Committee on Thursday, October 24, 2013, the Committee resumed consideration of the motion of Andrew Saxton, — That, in relation to Orders of Reference from the House respecting Bills,

(a) the Clerk of the Committee shall, upon the Committee receiving such an Order of Reference, write to each Member who is not a member of a caucus represented on the Committee to invite those Members to file, in a letter to the Chair of the Committee, in both official languages, any amendments to the Bill, which is the subject of the said Order, which they would suggest that the Committee consider;

(b) suggested amendments filed, pursuant to paragraph (a), at least 48 hours prior to the start of clause-by-clause consideration of the Bill to which the amendments relate shall be deemed to be proposed during the said consideration, provided that the Committee may, by motion, vary this deadline in respect of a given Bill; and

(c) during the clause-by-clause consideration of a Bill, the Chair shall allow a Member who filed suggested amendments, pursuant to paragraph (a), an opportunity to make brief representations in support of them.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 6; NAYS: 4.

At 11:52 a.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 12:01 p.m., the sitting resumed.

Stephen S. Poloz made a statement and, with Tiff Macklem, answered questions.

At 12:59 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 1:04 p.m., the sitting resumed.

Jean-Denis Fréchette made a statement and, with Mostafa Askari and Scott Cameron, answered questions.

At 2:00 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.