FINA Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Finance met at 11:57 a.m. this day, in Room 268, La Promenade Building, the Chair, James Rajotte, presiding.

It was agreed, — That the Clerk of the Committee issue the approved news release to invite the public to submit requests to appear and briefs in relation to the pre-budget consultations 2011 no later than July 29, and August 12, 2011 respectfully.

At 12:48 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 12:49 p.m., the sitting resumed in public.

Scott Brison moved, — Whereas the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance expressed its desire for certain documents on October 6, 2010 and November 17, 2010;

Whereas this Committee recognizes the ruling of the Speaker of the House of Commons on March 9, 2011 in connection to those requests for documents;

Whereas the Government, in an effort to comply with the Speaker’s ruling, did provide some documents during the third session of the 40th Parliament that were related to the F-35 and CF-18 programs; and

Whereas many of these documents were received by the Clerk but not distributed to Members of the Standing Committee on Finance during the third session of the 40th Parliament as they were not available in both official languages at that time;

Accordingly, the Committee requests that the aforementioned documents be distributed in both official languages at the first opportunity during this session.

By unanimous consent, the motion was withdrawn.

Cathy McLeod moved, — Whereas many documents related to F-35’s and CF-18’s were received by the Clerk but not distributed to Members of the Standing Committee on Finance during the third session of the 40th Parliament and as they were not available in both official languages at that time, the Committee requests that the aforementioned documents be distributed to the Members of the Standing Committee on Finance as well as the Standing Committee on National Defence in both official languages at the first opportunity during this session.

Debate arose thereon.

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

Hoang Mai moved, — That the Committee resume its study on Tax Evasion and Offshore Bank Accounts started in the previous session and, that the evidence and documentation received by the Committee during the third session of the 40th Parliament on the subject be taken into consideration by the Committee in this session.

Debate arose thereon.

Shelly Glover moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing the words “That the Committee resume its study on Tax Evasion and Offshore Bank accounts started in the previous session and,” with the words “that the Committee provide evidence and documentation relevant to the study on tax evasion and offshore bank accounts during the third session of the 40th Parliament”.

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 provide evidence and documentation relevant to the study on tax evasion and offshore bank accounts during the third session of the 40th Parliament.

At 1:10 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.