FINA Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Finance met at 3:32 p.m. this day, in Room 237-C, Centre Block, for the purpose of electing a Chair, pursuant to Standing Order 106(1).

On motion of Dean Del Mastro, it was agreed, — That Rob Merrifield be elected Chair of the Committee.

The Clerk of the Committee presided over the election of the Vice-Chairs.

On motion of John McKay, it was agreed, — That Massimo Pacetti be elected Vice-Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Thierry St-Cyr, it was agreed, — That Paul Crête be elected Vice-Chair of the Committee.

Rob Merrifield took the Chair.

On motion of Mike Wallace, it was agreed, — That the Committee retain the services of one or more analysts from the Library of Parliament, as needed, to assist the Committee in its work, at the discretion of the Chair.

Mike Wallace moved, — That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of the Chair, two Vice-Chairs, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance and a member of the other opposition party.

Garth Turner moved, — That the motion be amended by deleting after the words “two Vice-Chairs“, the following:

“the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance“.

The question was put on the amendment of Garth Turner and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 7; NAYS: 4.

Mike Wallace moved, — That the motion be amended by adding after the words “opposition party“ the following:

“and a government member other than the parliamentary secretary“.

The question was put on the amendment of Mike Wallace and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 4; NAYS: 7.

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 Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of the Chair, two Vice-Chairs, and a member of the other opposition party.

Massimo Pacetti moved, — That the Chair be authorized to hold meetings to receive and publish evidence when a quorum is not present, provided that at least three (3) members are present, including a member of the opposition.

Mike Wallace moved, — That the motion be amended by adding after the words “member of the Opposition“ the following:

“and one member of the government“.

The question was put on the amendment of Mike Wallace and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 4; NAYS: 7.

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

On motion of John McCallum, it was agreed, — That witnesses be given up to ten (10) minutes on their opening statement; that the order of questioners be as follows:

1st round
1. Liberal 7 minutes
2. Bloc Québécois 7 minutes
3. Conservative 7 minutes
4. NDP 7 minutes

2nd round
5. Liberal 5 minutes
6. Bloc Québécois 5 minutes
7. Conservative 5 minutes
8. Liberal 5 minutes
9. Conservative 5 minutes
10. Liberal 5 minutes
11. Conservative 5 minutes
12. NDP 5 minutes

When a Minister appears:

Fifteen (15) minutes for opening remarks per hour of appearance

1st round
1. Liberal 7 minutes
2. Bloc Québécois 7 minutes
3. NDP 7 minutes
4. Conservative 7 minutes

2nd round
5. Liberal 5 minutes
6. Bloc Québécois 5 minutes
7. Conservative 5 minutes
8. Liberal 5 minutes
9. Conservative 5 minutes
10. Liberal 5 minutes
11. Conservative 5 minutes
12. NDP 5 minutes.

On motion of Dean Del Mastro, it was agreed, —That, if requested, reasonable travel, accommodation and living expenses be reimbursed to witnessses not exceeding two (2) representatives per organization; and that, in exceptional circumstances, payment for more representatives be at the discretion of the Chair.

On motion of Paul Crête, it was agreed, — That only the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to distribute to the members of the Committee documents and only when they exist in both official languages and that witnesses be advised accordingly.

On motion of Dean Del Mastro, it was agreed, —That the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to make the necessary arrangements to provide for working meals for the Committee and its subcommittees.

On motion of Paul Crête, it was agreed, — That one copy of the transcript of each in camera meeting be kept in the Committee Clerk’s office for consultation by members of the Committee.

Rick Dykstra moved, — That forty-eight hours (48) notice be required for any substantive motion to be considered by the Committee, unless the substantive motion relates directly to business then under consideration; and that the notice of motion be filed with the Clerk of the Committee and distributed to members in both official languages.

Massimo Pacetti moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing “forty-eight hours“ with the following:

“thirty-six (36) hours“.

The question was put on the amendment of Massimo Pacetti and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 6; NAYS: 5.

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

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

That thirty-six hours (36) notice be required for any substantive motion to be considered by the Committee, unless the susbstantive motion relates directly to business then under consideration; and that the notice of motion be filed with the Clerk of the Committee and distributed to members in both official languages.

On motion of Massimo Pacetti, it was agreed, — That, unless otherwise ordered, each Committee member be allowed to have one staff member and one other staff person per party present at an in camera meeting.

At 4:20 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 4.25 p.m., the sitting resumed in camera.

It was agreed, — That the evidence and documentation received by the Standing Committee on Finance during the First Session of the 39th Parliament in relation to its study of Pre-Budget Consultations 2007 be taken into consideration by the Committee in this session.

At 5:10 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 5:15 p.m., the sitting resumed.

It was agreed, — That the Committee adopt the following schedule:

Thursday, November 15:
Meeting to review the Order in Council appointment of Mark Carney, Supplementary Estimates (A) and Pre-Budget Consultations.

Week of November 19:
Three (3) hearings on the impact of the appreciation in the relative value of the Canadian dollar.

Week of November 26:
Three (3) hearings in Ottawa on the theme of the “Tax System needed for a Prosperous Future.“

Week of December 3:
Committee Travel across Canada.

December 13, and or 14:
Draft Report consideration.

At 5:19 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.