The witnesses made statements and answered questions.

The Chair presented the First Report from the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure, which read as follows:

Your subcommittee met on Tuesday, January 25, 2022, to consider the business of the committee and agreed to make the following recommendations:

1. That, in relation to the Parliament of Finland’s invitation to participate in the committee of the Future summit, the clerk of the committee, in consultation with the Chair, prepare a preliminary travel submission respecting the committee's proposed travel to Finland in the Fall of 2022.

2. That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee undertake a further study of Accessibility and Affordability of Telecommunications Services; that the evidence and documentation received by the committee during the 2nd Session of the 43rd Parliament as part of its study on the subject be taken into consideration by the committee in the current session; that the committee adopt the report entitled Affordability and Accessibility of Telecommunications Services in Canada: Encouraging Competition to (Finally) Bridge the Digital Divide adopted during the 2nd Session of the 43rd Parliament; that, pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee request the government table a comprehensive response to the report; and, that the Chair present the report to the House.

3. That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), that the committee invite the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, the Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development and the Minister of Rural Economic Development to appear before the committee at their earliest convenience on or before Friday, February 25, 2022, to answer questions about the Prime Minister's mandate letters to them; that the ministers appear at the meeting exclusively for the purpose of the mandate letter and no other matters; and that this meeting be televised.

4. That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee undertake a study of: (1) how we can best protect Canada’s national security by preventing the sale of critical mineral assets to hostile foreign interests; (2) how Canada can leverage the role that the critical minerals sector will play in driving our clean energy future by positioning Canada as a reliable and sustainable supplier of green technologies, including the development and manufacture of next-generation battery technology; (3) how Canada can reduce its reliance on and vulnerability to foreign supply chains when it comes to the sourcing and processing of critical minerals; (4) the potential for Canada to be a world leader in the production and transformation of critical minerals, particularly as it relates to the growing battery and electronic vehicle ecosystem in Canada and across North America; (5) that the committee examine how Indigenous communities can be active participants in this sector; that the committee devote a minimum of four meetings to this study and report its findings to the House.

5. That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee undertake a study of the Proposed Acquisition of Shaw by Rogers, and that the evidence and documentation received by the committee during the 43rd Parliament on the subject be taken into consideration by the committee in the current session.

6. That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee undertake a study of Domestic Manufacturing Capacity for a COVID-19 Vaccine, and that the evidence and documentation received by the committee during the 43rd Parliament on the subject be taken into consideration by the committee in the current session.

7. That the committee invite Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications (CRTC) Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer, Ian Scott for one meeting to discuss the CRTC's reversal on its decision with regard to wholesale rates and its impact on affordability as well as provide a briefing on the ongoing work of the CRTC, the status of that work and its impact on delivering affordable wireless internet for Canadians.

It was agreed, — That the First Report from the subcommittee be concurred in.

ORDERED, — That the Chair present the report to the House.