Michel Lafleur made a statement and answered questions.

Taylor Bachrach moved, — That the committee be provided with the preliminary statement of fact immediately.

RULING BY THE CHAIR

The Chair ruled the proposed motion inadmissible because the committee had already sent for the statement of fact.

At 12:28 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 12:30 p.m., the sitting resumed.

At 12:33 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 12:37 p.m., the sitting resumed.

Taylor Bachrach moved, — That the committee undertake a study on the sustainability of postal service in Canada’s rural and remote communities; that a minimum of 12 hours of witness testimony be dedicated to the topic; that the committee invite the CEO of Canada Post, the President of Canada Postmasters and Assistants Association (CPAA), and the Minister of Public Services and Procurement; and that the committee produce a report and table it in the House.

Debate arose thereon.

It was agreed, — That the debate be now adjourned.

It was agreed, — That the documents received from Canada Border Services Agency be circulated with restricted access to committee members only.

At 1:09 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 4:30 p.m., on Wednesday, February 7, 2024, the sitting resumed.

The committee resumed consideration of the motion of Taylor Bachrach moved on Monday, February 5, 2024, which read as follows:

That the committee undertake a study on the sustainability of postal service in Canada’s rural and remote communities; that a minimum of 12 hours of witness testimony be dedicated to the topic; that the committee invite the CEO of Canada Post, the President of Canada Postmasters and Assistants Association (CPAA), and the Minister of Public Services and Procurement; and that the committee produce a report and table it in the House.

At 5:15 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 5:17 p.m., the sitting resumed.

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

That the committee undertake a study on the loss of postal service in Canada's rural and remote communities; that at least eight hours of witness testimony be dedicated to the topic; that the committee invite the CEO of Canada Post, the President of Canada Postmasters and Assistants Association (CPAA), and the Minister of Public Services and Procurement; and that the committee produce a report and table it in the House.

The question was put on the motion of Taylor Bachrach, as amended, and it was agreed to.

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

That the committee undertake a study on the loss of postal service in Canada’s rural and remote communities; that at least eight hours of witness testimony be dedicated to the topic; that the committee invite the CEO of Canada Post, the President of Canada Postmasters and Assistants Association (CPAA), and the Deputy Minister of Public Services and Procurement, and any other witnesses the committee deems necessary; that the committee establish a schedule for this study no later than Wednesday, February 28, 2024; that the committee produce a report and table it in the House before Friday, June 7, 2024; and that, pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee request a government response.

Charles Sousa moved, — That the witness be dismissed.

Debate arose thereon.

Julie Vignola moved, — That the committee proceed to committee business.

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

YEAS: Taylor Bachrach, Parm Bains, Anna Gainey, Majid Jowhari, Irek Kusmierczyk, Charles Sousa, Julie Vignola — 7;

NAYS: Kelly Block, Garnett Genuis, Stephanie Kusie — 3.

Charles Sousa moved, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(3)(c), the committee undertake a study on the government's work towards regulatory modernization, that the committee examine matters including:

• Examining how to reduce the unnecessary administrative burden for individuals and small businesses;

• Examining how to simplify regulatory processes, including certifications, codes-of-practice without the need to make regulatory changes and the introduction of regulatory sandboxes;

• Cutting unnecessary red tape to make cross-border trade easier through more consistent and coherent rules across governments; such as adopting national standards more widely;

• Examining regulations that may impede international competitiveness;

That the committee allocate four meetings to conduct this study; that witnesses be submitted to the clerk of the committee by Wednesday, February 21, 2024; that the committee report its findings and recommendations to the House; and that, pursuant to Standing Order 109, the government table a comprehensive response.

Debate arose thereon.

Garnett Genuis moved, — That the committee do now adjourn.

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

YEAS: Parm Bains, Kelly Block, Anna Gainey, Garnett Genuis, Majid Jowhari, Annie Koutrakis, Stephanie Kusie, Julie Vignola — 8;

NAYS: Taylor Bachrach, Charles Sousa — 2.