QUESTION PERIOD — National Finance
Business of the Committee
October 4, 2023
My question is for the Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance.
Senator Mockler, on June 13, this chamber referred Bill C-234 to the National Finance Committee for study on the subject of matter of that bill. My understanding is that the steering committee of your committee has chosen to not accede to the request of the chamber.
Could you explain the reasons why it has done so?
Thank you very much, Senator Woo. I think it is an important question.
Last night I answered that question during the Agriculture and Forestry Committee. I’ll take this opportunity to answer the question more specifically.
As we all know, chairs of committees and senators are masters of our committees when it comes to proceedings and studies. On that, before I speak about the mandate, Senator Woo, please permit me to add that the steering committee met twice to consider the agenda of the Finance Committee. We decided unanimously that Bill C-234 could not be studied by the Finance Committee.
Yet, Senator Mockler, the bill is ostensibly a finance bill. It has to do with the fiscal position of the government. It has to do with modes of taxation or exemption from taxation. It has questions around the design of systems to encourage lesser emissions of greenhouse gases.
Did you consider any of these factors? Will your committee as a whole reconsider taking on this request from the chamber?
As I said earlier, the steering committee of the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance made that decision after examining the issue. After careful consideration, the committee decided that Bill C-234 should be examined and that the clause-by-clause consideration should be done after the report was tabled in this chamber.
