INDU Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology met at 11:06 a.m. this day, in Room 308, West Block, the Chair, James Rajotte, presiding.

Pierre Beauchamp, Carole Presseault, Francesca Iacurto and Bill Rutsey made statements and, with Gregory Klump, Winsor Macdonell and Robert Scarpelli, answered questions.

At 11:56 a.m., the sitting was suspended.

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

Martin Rice and Robert Fairholm made statements, and with Catherine Scovil, answered questions.

At 12:34 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 12:38 p.m., the sitting resumed.

The Committee resumed consideration of the motion of Paule Brunelle, — That the Committee recommend to the government, in view of the serious crisis in the forestry and manufacturing sectors, that it implement without delay an improved assistance plan for the forestry and manufacturing sectors, including $500 million to restore Technology Partnerships Canada; $1.5 billion in reimbursable contributions to allow companies to purchase new equipment; a $1 billion diversification fund for the forestry industry, to be administered by Quebec and the provinces and allocated among them based according to the size of their forestry industry; and that the adoption of this motion be reported to the House at the earliest opportunity.

The debate continued.

Dan McTeague moved, — That the motion be amended by deleting the words “including $500 million to restore Technology Partnerships Canada; $1.5 billion in reimbursable contributions to allow companies to purchase new equipment; a $1 billion diversification fund for the forestry industry, to be administered by Quebec and the provinces and allocated among them based according to the size of their forestry industry;”.

The question was put on the amendment of Dan McTeague and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 6; NAYS: 2.

Colin Carrie moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing the words “and that the adoption of this motion be reported to the House at the earliest opportunity” with the words “while remaining consistent with our international commitments”.

The question was put on the amendment of Colin Carrie and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 6; NAYS: 3.

After debate, the question was put on the motion, as amended, and it was agreed to.

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

That the Committee recommend to the government, in view of the serious crisis in the forestry and manufacturing sectors, that it implement without delay an improved assistance plan for the forestry and manufacturing sectors, while remaining consistent with our international commitments.

Scott Brison moved, — That the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology study the Government of Canada's decision to eliminate the position of National Science Advisor; that the committee invite Dr. Arthur Carty, National Science Advisor to the Government of Canada, to immediately appear before the Committee; and that the Committee report to the House its findings, conclusions and recommendations.

Debate arose thereon.

Colin Carrie moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing the word “eliminate” with the word “phase-out”.

The question was put on the amendment of Colin Carrie and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 7; NAYS: 0.

The question was put on the motion, as amended, and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 7; NAYS: 0.

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

That the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology study the Government of Canada's decision to phase-out the position of National Science Advisor; that the committee invite Dr. Arthur Carty, National Science Advisor to the Government of Canada, to immediately appear before the Committee; and that the Committee report to the House its findings, conclusions and recommendations.

On motion of Dan McTeague, it was agreed, — That the proposed budget for the Committee's study on a Review of Canada's Service Sector in the amount of $28,650, for the period of November 22, 2007 to June 30, 2008, be adopted.

On motion of Dan McTeague, it was agreed, — That the proposed budget for the Committee's study on the Impact of the Appreciating Value of the Canadian Dollar on the Canadian Economy in the amount of $26,500, for the period of November 28, 2007 to June 30, 2008, be adopted.

At 12:50 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 12:52 p.m., the sitting resumed in camera.

The Chair presented the Second Report from the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure which read as follows:

Your Subcommittee met on Tuesday, February 5, 2008, to consider the business of the Committee and agreed to make the following recommendations:

That the Committee hold one (1) additional meeting, scheduled on Tuesday, March 4, 2008, for the purpose of receiving evidence on the study of the appreciating value of the Canadian dollar on the Canadian economy and that the Committee invite the following witnesses to appear at the meeting: Mr. David Miller, Mayor of the City of Toronto and representative of the Big City Mayors Caucus, Mr. Jean Perrault, Mayor of the City of Sherbrooke and president of the Union of Quebec Municipalities, as well as a representative of the Canadian Federation of Municipalities.

That the Committee invite the Hon. Jim Prentice, Minister of Industry, to appear before the Committee on Thursday March 6, 2008, pursuant to the motion adopted by the Standing Committee on Tuesday, January 29, 2008 (meeting number 14).

That, at the conclusion of the two (2) studies presently underway, the committee hold six (6) to ten (10) meetings to receive evidence on a study of Canadian science and technology and research and development.

That, at the conclusion of the study on Canadian science and technology and research and development, the Committee hold six (6) to ten (10) meetings to receive evidence on a study of internal trade barriers.

That the Committee incorporate Canadian travel (site visits) as relevant to the study of Canadian science and technology and research and development and to the study on internal trade barriers, and that travel for these studies possibly be organised concurrently.

It was agreed, — That the Second Report of the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be adopted.

At 12:55 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.