Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
National Finance
Issue No. 98 - Evidence - June 12, 2019
OTTAWA, Wednesday, June 12, 2019
The Standing Senate Committee on National Finance, to which was referred Bill C-97, an Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on March 19, 2019 and other measures, met this day at 6:51 p.m to give clause-by-clause consideration to this bill.
Senator Percy Mockler (Chair) in the chair.
[Translation]
The Chair: Honourable senators, I see a quorum. I therefore call the meeting to order.
[English]
My name is Percy Mockler, senator from New Brunswick and chair of the committee.
[Translation]
Honourable senators, I would also like to welcome all those here in the room, and all Canadians watching us on television or online.
[English]
I would like the senators to introduce themselves.
Senator M. Deacon: Marty Deacon, Ontario.
Senator Duncan: Pat Duncan, Yukon.
Senator Omidvar: Ratna Omidvar, Ontario.
[Translation]
Senator Forest: Welcome. Senator Éric Forest from the Gulf region of Quebec.
Senator Pratte: André Pratte from Quebec.
Senator Moncion: Lucie Moncion from Ontario.
[English]
Senator Klyne: Marty Klyne, Saskatchewan.
Senator Boehm: Peter Boehm, Ontario.
Senator Andreychuk: Raynell Andreychuk, Saskatchewan.
Senator Eaton: Nicky Eaton, Ontario.
Senator Marshall: Elizabeth Marshall, Newfoundland and Labrador.
Senator Martin: Yonah Martin, British Columbia.
[Translation]
The Chair: Honourable senators, I would now like to introduce Gaëtane Lemay, the clerk of the committee, and our two analysts, Alex Smith and Shaowei Pu, who team up to support the work of our committee.
[English]
Honourable senators and members of the viewing public, we are about to begin going through Bill C-97 clause by clause. But before doing this, I would like to remind senators of a number of important points, such as if at any point a senator is not clear where we are in this process of Bill C-97, please ask for clarification.
In terms of the mechanics of the process, I wish to remind senators that when more than one amendment is to be moved in a clause, the amendments should be proposed in the order of the lines of the clause, meaning that amendments should be proposed following the order of the text to be amended. Therefore, honourable senators, before we take up an amendment in a clause, I will be verifying whether any senator had intended to move an amendment earlier in that particular clause. If senators do intend to move an earlier amendment, they will be given the chance to do so.
If a senator is opposed to the entire clause, the proper process in committee is not to move a motion to delete the entire clause, but rather to vote against the clause standing as part of the bill.
[Translation]
I would also like to remind honourable senators that some proposed amendments may have substantial repercussions on other parts of Bill C-97.
[English]
Because no notice is required to move amendments, there can be, of course, no preliminary analysis of the amendments to establish which one may be of consequence to others and also which may be contradictory.
If members have questions about the process or the propriety of anything going on, they can raise a point of order. The chair will listen to arguments, decide when there has been sufficient discussion on the matter of the order and make a ruling.
I wish to remind all senators that no seconder is required in committee and that if there is ever any uncertainty as to the result of a voice vote or a show of hands, the cleanest pathway is to request a roll call vote, which provides clear results.
Honourable senators, finally, I wish to inform you that officials are available, mostly from the Department of Finance, to answer any questions we may have on Bill C-97. They can be called to join us quickly, if need be, if you have any additional questions on the particular bill.
Are there any questions on any of the above or clarity that you would like to have on what I have just shared with you?
If not, just so that everyone is clear on who is a member in good standing of the committee and is allowed to move a motion and to vote on any motion, I would ask the clerk to read out loud the membership list as it stands this evening for the Committee on National Finance.
Gaëtane Lemay, Clerk of the Committee: The chair is the Honourable Senator Mockler. We have the Honourable Senator Andreychuk, Honourable Senator Boehm, Honourable Senator Deacon (Ontario), Honourable Senator Duncan, Honourable Senator Eaton, Honourable Senator Forest, Honourable Senator Marshall, Honourable Senator Martin, Honourable Senator Moncion, Honourable Senator Omidvar and Honourable Senator Pratte.
Senator Moncion is in replacement of Senator Klyne. Senator Omidvar is in replacement of Senator Forest-Niesing. Senator Martin is in replacement of Senator Neufeld.
The Chair: Is it agreed, honourable senators, that the committee proceed immediately to clause-by-clause consideration of Bill C-97, An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on March 19, 2019, and other measures?
Some Hon. Senators: Agreed.
Some Hon. Senators: On division.
The Chair: Agreed, on division.
Shall the title stand postponed?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Thank you, honourable senators.
Shall clause 1, which contains the short title, stand postponed?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Thank you, honourable senators.
Is it agreed, with leave, that the clauses be grouped according to the parts of the bill and their divisions as described in the Table of Provisions of Bill C-97?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Thank you, honourable senators.
Shall Part 1, entitled “Income Tax Act and Other Legislation,” which contains clauses 2 to 69, carry?
Some Hon. Senators: Agreed.
Some Hon. Senators: On division.
The Chair: Carried, on division.
[Translation]
Shall Part 2, entitled “GST/HST Measures,” which contains clauses 70 to 80, carry?
Carried, on division.
[English]
Shall Part 3, entitled “Excise Act, 2001,” which contains clauses 81 to 86, carry?
Some Hon. Senators: Agreed.
Some Hon. Senators: On division.
The Chair: Carried, on division.
Shall Division 1 of Part 4, entitled “Financial Sector,” which contains clauses 87 to 97, carry?
Some Hon. Senators: Agreed.
Some Hon. Senators: On division.
The Chair: Carried, on division.
Shall Division 2 of Part 4, entitled “Strengthening Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-terrorist Financing Regime,” which contains clauses 98 to 126, carry?
Some Hon. Senators: Agreed.
Some Hon. Senators: On division.
The Chair: Carried, on division.
[Translation]
Shall Division 3 of Part 4, entitled “Employment Equity Act,” which contains clauses 127 and 128, carry?
Carried, on division.
[English]
Shall Division 4 of Part 4, entitled “Payments,” which contains clauses 129 to 132, carry?
Some Hon. Senators: Agreed.
Some Hon. Senators: On division.
The Chair: Carried, on division.
Shall Division 5 of Part 4, entitled “Enhancing Retirement Security,” which contains clauses 133 to 152, carry?
Some Hon. Senators: Agreed.
Some Hon. Senators: On division.
The Chair: Carried, on division.
[Translation]
Shall Division 6 of Part 4, entitled “Canada Pension Plan,” which contains clauses 153 to 155, carry?
Carried, on division.
[English]
Shall Division 7 of Part 4, entitled “Old Age Security Act,” which contains clause 156, carry?
Some Hon. Senators: Agreed.
Some Hon. Senators: On division.
The Chair: Carried, on division.
Shall Division 8 of Part 4, entitled “Non-Permitted Surplus,” which contains clauses 157 to 159, carry?
Some Hon. Senators: Agreed.
Some Hon. Senators: On division.
The Chair: Carried, on division.
Shall Division 9 of Part 4, entitled “Regulatory Modernization,” which contains clauses 160 to 221, carry?
Some Hon. Senators: Agreed.
Some Hon. Senators: On division.
The Chair: Carried, on division.
Shall Division 10 of Part 4, entitled “Royal Canadian Mounted Police Act,” which contains clauses 222 to 224, carry?
Some Hon. Senators: Agreed.
Some Hon. Senators: On division.
The Chair: Carried, on division.
[Translation]
Shall Division 11 of Part 4, entitled “Pilotage Act,” which contains clauses 225 to 269, carry?
Carried, on division.
[English]
Shall Division 12 of Part 4, entitled “Security Screening Services Commercialization,” which contains clauses 270 to 279, carry?
Some Hon. Senators: Agreed.
Some Hon. Senators: On division.
The Chair: Carried, on division.
Shall Division 13 of Part 4, entitled “Aviation Industry Indemnity Act,” which contains clauses 280 to 289, carry?
Some Hon. Senators: Agreed.
Some Hon. Senators: On division.
The Chair: Carried, on division.
Shall Division 14, entitled “Transportation Appeal Tribunal of Canada Act,” which contains clause 290, carry?
Some Hon. Senators: Agreed.
Some Hon. Senators: On division.
The Chair: Carried, on division.
Shall Division 15 of Part 4, entitled “Immigration and Citizenship Representation or Advice,” which contains clauses 291 to 300, carry?
Some Hon. Senators: Agreed.
Some Hon. Senators: On division.
The Chair: Carried, on division.
[Translation]
Shall Division 16 of Part 4, entitled “Immigration and Refugee Protection Act,” which contains clauses 301 to 310, carry?
Carried, on division.
[English]
Shall Division 17 of Part 4, entitled “Federal Courts Act,” which contains clause 311, carry?
Some Hon. Senators: Agreed.
Some Hon. Senators: On division.
The Chair: Carried, on division.
Shall Division 18 of Part 4, entitled “National Housing Act,” which contains clause 312, carry?
Some Hon. Senators: Agreed.
Some Hon. Senators: On division.
The Chair: Carried, on division.
Shall Division 19 of Part 4, entitled “National Housing Strategy Act,” which contains clauses 313 and 314, carry?
Some Hon. Senators: Agreed.
Some Hon. Senators: On division.
The Chair: Carried, on division.
[Translation]
Shall Division 20 of Part 4, entitled “Poverty Reduction Act,” which contains clauses 315 to 317, carry?
Carried, on division.
[English]
Shall Division 21 of Part 4, entitled “Veterans Well-being Act,” which contains clauses 318 to 322, carry?
Some Hon. Senators: Agreed.
Some Hon. Senators: On division.
The Chair: Carried, on division.
Shall Division 22 of Part 4, entitled “Student Loans,” which contains clauses 323 to 327, carry?
Some Hon. Senators: Agreed.
Some Hon. Senators: On division.
The Chair: Carried, on division.
Shall Division 23 of Part 4, entitled “Canada National Parks Act,” which contains clauses 328 to 333, carry?
Some Hon. Senators: Agreed.
Some Hon. Senators: On division.
The Chair: Carried, on division.
[Translation]
Shall Division 24 of Part 4, entitled “Parks Canada Agency Act,” which contains clauses 334,and 335, carry?
Carried, on division.
[English]
Shall Division 25 of Part 4, entitled “Various Measures Related to Indigenous Matters,” which contains clauses 336 to 386, carry?
Some Hon. Senators: Agreed.
Some Hon. Senators: On division.
The Chair: Carried, on division.
Shall Division 26 of Part 4, entitled “Federal Prompt Payment for Construction Work Act,” which contains the clauses 387 and 388, carry?
Some Hon. Senators: Agreed.
Some Hon. Senators: On division.
The Chair: Carried, on division.
Now, honourable senators, we will move on to schedules. Shall Schedule 1 carry?
Some Hon. Senators: Agreed.
Some Hon. Senators: On division.
The Chair: Carried, on division.
Shall Schedule 2 carry?
Some Hon. Senators: Agreed.
Some Hon. Senators: On division.
The Chair: Carried, on division.
Shall Schedule 3 carry?
Some Hon. Senators: Agreed.
Some Hon. Senators: On division.
The Chair: Carried, on division.
[Translation]
Schedule 4, page 373. Shall Schedule 4 carry?
Some Hon. Senators: Yea.
Some Hon. Senators: Nay.
The Chair: Carried, on division.
[English]
Shall clause 1, which contains the short title, carry?
Some Hon. Senators: Agreed.
Some Hon. Senators: On division.
The Chair: Carried, on division.
Honourable senators, shall the title carry?
Some Hon. Senators: Agreed.
Some Hon. Senators: On division.
The Chair: Carried, on division.
Honourable senators, shall Bill C-97, without amendments, carry?
Some Hon. Senators: Agreed.
Some Hon. Senators: On division.
The Chair: Carried, on division.
Honourable senators, the chair has been made aware that we will be considering some observations. My question to you is, in considering observations, should we go in camera?
Hon. Senators: Yes.
The Chair: We will go in camera to hear the observations.
(The committee continued in camera.)