INDU Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology met in camera at 3:35 p.m. this day, in Room 8-53, 131 Queen St., the Chair, David Sweet, presiding.

It was agreed, — That the proposed operational budget in the amount of $4100, for the Committee’s study on Bill C-452, be adopted.

It was agreed, — That the proposed operational budget in the amount of $6975, for the Committee’s study on Bill C-501, be adopted.

It was agreed, — That the Committee immediately undertakes a study of the Investment Canada Act to determine:

1. Whether restrictions on the public disclosure of the rationale behind decisions to approve or reject an application under the Act serve Canada’s interest, and what form that disclosure might take;
2. Whether the Act provides for effective enforcement mechanisms, and how they could be improved;
3. Whether consultation with provinces affected by a decision would serve Canada’s interest, and what form those consultations might take.

And, that the Committee prepare a report of its findings to be presented to the House upon completion of the study.

It was agreed, — That the Committee undertakes a study of governmental programs offered to the aerospace industry to effectively address its competitiveness in international markets as well as future needs and that a report on this study be presented to the House.

It was agreed, — That, given the many questions raised by the recent decisions of the CRTC concerning the billing practices of internet service providers, the Committee undertakes a study of this issue and that its observations and recommendations be presented in a report to the House.

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

At 4:53 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 4:56 p.m., the sitting resumed in public.

Mike Lake moved, — That the Committee undertake first, a study of the Investment Canada Act for a period of 5 meetings; second, a study of the recent decisions of the CRTC concerning the billing practices of Internet service providers; and third, consideration of Bill C-568, An Act to amend the Statistics Act (mandatory long-form census).

Debate arose thereon.

The question was put on the motion and it was negatived on the following recorded division:YEAS: Peter Braid, Bernard Généreux, Mike Lake, Dave Van Kesteren, Mike Wallace — 5; NAYS: Robert Bouchard, Serge Cardin, Siobhan Coady, Brian Masse, Dan McTeague, Anthony Rota — 6.

Brian Masse moved, — That the Committee undertakes first, a study of the recent decisions of the CRTC concerning the billing practices of internet service providers for the next 3 meetings; second, consideration of Bill C-568, An Act to amend the Statistics Act (mandatory long-form census) concurrently with a study of the Investment Canada Act; and third, resume, when appropriate, consideration of Bill C-501, An Act to amend the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act and other Acts (pension protection).

Debate arose thereon.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to on the following recorded division: YEAS: Robert Bouchard, Serge Cardin, Siobhan Coady, Brian Masse, Dan McTeague, Anthony Rota — 6; NAYS: Peter Braid, Bernard Généreux, Mike Lake, Dave Van Kesteren, Mike Wallace — 5.

At 5:40 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.