INDU Committee Meeting

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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

Meeting No. 14

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

The Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology met at 11:03 a.m. this day, in Room 308, West Block, the Chair, James Rajotte, presiding.

Members of the Committee present: André Arthur, Hon. Scott Brison, Paule Brunelle, Colin Carrie, Hon. Dan McTeague, Peggy Nash, James Rajotte, Hon. Raymond Simard, Bruce Stanton, Dave Van Kesteren and Robert Vincent.

Acting Members present: John Cannis for Hon. Mark Eyking.

In attendance: Library of Parliament: Eleanor Fast, Analyst ; Mark Mahabir, Analyst.

Witnesses: Canadian Co-operative Association: Carol Hunter, Executive Director; John Anderson, Director, Government Affairs and Public Policy. Canadian Council of Chief Executives: David Stewart-Patterson, Executive Vice-President; Sam Boutziouvis, Vice-President, Economics and International Trade. Canadian Services Coalition: Hon. Sergio Marchi, Chair; Shirley-Ann George, Executive Director. Conseil canadien de la coopération: Brigitte Gagné, Executive Director. Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas: Michael Comstock, Vice-President.

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted by the Committee on November 20, 2007, the Committee resumed its study of a Review of Canada's Service Sector.

David Stewart-Patterson, Carole Hunter, Hon. Sergio Marchi, Brigitte Gagné and Michael Comstock made statements and, with John Anderson and Shirley-Ann George, answered questions.

At 12:54 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 1:00 p.m., the sitting resumed.

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

It was agreed, — That the Committee reschedule the witnesses for February 6, to February 7, 2008 and that the meeting be divided into two panels.

Paule Brunelle moved, — 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.

Debate arose thereon.

It was agreed, — That debate on the motion as moved by Paule Brunelle be adjourned.

Peggy Nash moved, — That the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology request that the Minister of Industry, Jim Prentice, appear before the Committee in the next two weeks, to answer questions concerning the review by Industry Canada, under the Investment Canada Act, of the proposed sale of part of MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. to American-owned Alliant Techsystems.

Debate arose thereon.

Dan McTeague moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing the words “two weeks, to answer questions concerning the review by Industry Canada, under the Investment Canada Act, of the proposed sale of part of MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. to American-owned Alliant Techsystems” with the words “four to six weeks, to discuss, among other things, the proposed sale of part of MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. to Alliant Techsystems, the challenges facing the manufacturing and forestry sectors, counterfeit and intellectual property, as well as the service sector”.

Debate arose thereon.

John Cannis moved, — That the amendment be amended by adding after the word “Techsystems” the following: “(in as far as the Minister is permitted or allowed to discuss by law)”.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, the question was put on the subamendment of John Cannis and it was agreed to.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Dan McTeague and it was agreed to.

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 Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology request that the Minister of Industry, Jim Prentice, appear before the Committee in the next four to six weeks, to discuss, among other things, the proposed sale of part of MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. to Alliant Techsystems (in as far as the Minister is permitted or allowed to discuss by law), the challenges facing the manufacturing and forestry sectors, counterfeit and intellectual property, as well as the service sector.

At 1:55 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

Michelle Tittley
Clerk of the Committee

2008-09-16 9:01 a.m.