Rick Perkins moved, — That, in relation to the recent investigation and report on Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) showing a breach in conflict-of-interest rules and misuse of public funds, the committee undertake a study of up to six meetings to investigate these allegations, and that the committee invite the following witnesses to each appear before the committee,

(a) Francois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry,

(b) Doug McConnachie, Chief Financial Officer and Assistant to the Deputy Minister, Corporate Services at Innovation Science and Economic Development Canada,

(c) Annette Verschuren, former Chair of the SDTC Board of Directors,

(d) whistleblowers who have come forward,

(e) any other witnesses deemed relevant to the study put forward by parties, and, subject to the approval of the recognized party’s whips, and the availability of meeting slots from the House of Commons, the committee hold additional meetings and or extend committee meetings beyond an hour on each allotted day for each meeting on this matter with the goal of not delaying the study of Bill C-27.

At 4:54 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 5:01 p.m., the sitting resumed.

On motion of Brad Vis, it was agreed, — That the motion be further amended by adding after the words “(3) Annette Verschuren, former Chair of the Board of TDDC” the following: “(4) Leah Lawrence, former Chair of the Board of TDDC”.

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

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

That, in relation to the recent investigation and report on Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) showing a breach in conflict-of-interest rules and misuse of public funds, the committee undertake a study of up to two meetings (or four hours) to investigate these allegations,

(a) that all information obtained in the context of the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy, and Ethics meetings regarding this matter be communicated to the Standing Committee on Industry and Technology, including the testimony of the following witnesses who have testified on this subject or whose testimony is yet to come:

1. François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry,
2. Doug McConnachie, Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Deputy Minister, Corporate Services at Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada,
3. Annette Verschuren, former Chair of the board of SDTC,
4. Leah Lawrence, former Chair of the board of SDTC,
5. whistleblowers who have come forward,

with the understanding that the committee reserves the right to re-invite said witnesses as necessary;

(b) that the Committee invite any other relevant witnesses;

and, subject to the approval of recognized party leaders and the availability of meeting time slots in the House of Commons, that the committee hold additional meetings and/or extend committee meetings on this issue in order to avoid delaying the study of Bill C-27.

Ryan Turnbull moved, — That the committee be now adjourned.

The question was put on the motion and it was negatived on the following recorded division:

YEAS: Iqwinder Gaheer, Viviane Lapointe, Francesco Sorbara, Ryan Turnbull, Tony Van Bynen — 5;

NAYS: Bernard Généreux, Sébastien Lemire, Brian Masse, Rick Perkins, Brad Vis, Ryan Williams — 6.

Rick Perkins moved, — That, the committee begin a study, of at least five meetings, examining the impact Canada's carbon tax is having in the nation's continued decline in productivity as noted by the OECD's ranking of Canada as last when compared to western economies. That the study include an examination of the United States approach to investing in green technology through the Inflation Reduction Act and not carbon taxes as a major factor in Canada's declining economic output compared to Canada's most important trading partner the United States since 2015.

RULING BY THE CHAIR

The Chair ruled the motion inadmissible as 48-hours’ notice had not been fulfilled.

Whereupon, Rick Perkins appealed the decision of the Chair.

The question: "Shall the decision of the Chair be sustained?" was put and the decision was sustained on the following recorded division:

YEAS: Iqwinder Gaheer, Viviane Lapointe, Sébastien Lemire, Brian Masse, Francesco Sorbara, Ryan Turnbull, Tony Van Bynen — 7;

NAYS: Bernard Généreux, Rick Perkins, Brad Vis, Ryan Williams — 4.