FINA Committee Meeting

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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

Meeting No. 110

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

The Standing Committee on Finance met in a televised session at 8:49 a.m. this day, in Room C-110, 1 Wellington Street, the Chair, James Rajotte, presiding.

Members of the Committee present: Mark Adler, Guy Caron, Raymond Côté, Shelly Glover, Randy Hoback, Brian Jean, Cathy McLeod, Peggy Nash, James Rajotte, Murray Rankin and Dave Van Kesteren.

Acting Members present: Hon. John McCallum for Hon. Scott Brison.

In attendance: Library of Parliament: Mark Mahabir, Analyst.

Witnesses: As individuals: Brigitte Alepin, Chartered Accountant, Tax Expert, Tax Policy Specialist, Author; Kim Moody, Moodys LLP Tax Advisors. Coalition des travailleuses et des travailleurs autonomes du Québec: Stéphane Laforest, President. Ernst & Young: Greg Boehmer, Partner, Canadian Tax Practice. KPMG: Lorne Shillinger, Chartered Accountant, Partner. Federation of Law Societies of Canada: Gérald Tremblay, President.

Pursuant to the Order of Reference of Friday, March 8, 2013, the Committee commenced consideration of Bill C-48, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act, the Excise Tax Act, the Federal-Provincial Fiscal Arrangements Act, the First Nations Goods and Services Tax Act and related legislation.

Brigitte Alepin, Kim Moody, Stéphane Laforest, Greg Boehmer, Lorne Shillinger and Gérald Tremblay, by videoconference from Montréal, Québec, made statements and answered questions.

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

Randy Hoback moved, — That the Standing Committee on Finance undertake a study on emerging digital payments systems (such as ‘mobile wallets’ and ‘near field communications’) in Canada, including but not limited to (i) an overview of new digital payment technologies, including the challenges and opportunities they present (ii) an overview of the evolving role of Government oversight of these systems (iii) how best to ensure small businesses and consumers benefit from these new systems; and that the Committee report its findings to the House.

Debate arose thereon.

John McCallum moved, — That the motion be amended by adding after the word “including” the following: “transaction fees and”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of John McCallum and it was agreed to on division.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to on the following recorded division: YEAS: Mark Adler, Guy Caron, Shelly Glover, Randy Hoback, Brian Jean, John McCallum, Cathy McLeod, Peggy Nash, Murray Rankin, Dave Van Kesteren — 10; NAYS: Raymond Côté — 1.

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

That the Standing Committee on Finance undertake a study on emerging digital payments systems (such as ‘mobile wallets’ and ‘near field communications’) in Canada, including but not limited to (i) an overview of new digital payment technologies, including transaction fees and the challenges and opportunities they present (ii) an overview of the evolving role of Government oversight of these systems (iii) how best to ensure small businesses and consumers benefit from these new systems; and that the Committee report its findings to the House.

Shelly Glover moved, — That the Finance Department provide an annual update to the Finance Committee on the status of all outstanding technical tax changes in an effort to ensure regular and timely legislation as already committed by the Conservative government.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 11; NAYS: 0.

Randy Hoback moved, — That a proposed budget in the amount of $39,300 for the study of Income Inequality in Canada, be adopted.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 11; NAYS: 0.

At 10:44 a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

Christine Lafrance
Clerk of the Committee

2013/03/21 11:52 a.m.