Jeremy Patzer, MP for Cypress Hills鈥擥rasslands, joined his colleagues on the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology for their first online meeting on Thursday, April 23. Small Business Minister Mary Ng appeared, along with departmental staff.
鈥淚 never imagined a month ago that I鈥檇 be participating and voting remotely in a committee here from my office in Swift Current,鈥� said Patzer.
During the meeting, Patzer asked witnesses about the government鈥檚 plans for Canada鈥檚 economy and supply chains.
In the absence of Industry Minister Navdeep Bains, the Deputy Minister spoke on behalf of the Department of Industry. He emphasized that the most immediate concern for supply chains has been for personal protective equipment (PPE) and medical supplies. He also noted they are working with Canadian manufacturers to repurpose their facilities for producing sanitizer and filtration materials for masks and respirators.
鈥淭here are manufacturers and small businesses that have wanted to help out,鈥� said Patzer. 鈥淭hey have gone through the online portals and processes and they have been told: 鈥榃e don鈥檛 have anything for you right now, but just wait because we鈥檒l get a hold of you.鈥� We do have shortages and issues, so why are we not allowing industry or small businesses to join in?鈥澨�
Patzer has also asked for a report from the Department of Industry regarding their engagement with manufacturing and small businesses in greater detail.听
鈥淎t this point, I am looking to get more details from them,鈥� he said. 鈥淗aving a Team Canada approach means we need to make the most of our Canadian industry. That will not happen without a plan and we did not get a clear sense of having one during the meeting.鈥澨�
Lastly, Patzer raised the subject of a longer-term strategy for reopening the economy. The Deputy Minister referred back to what Small Business Minister Mary Ng had said earlier in the meeting, in response to Conservative Shadow Minister of Industry Michelle Rempel Garner鈥檚 questions. Rempel Garner had asked her when the government鈥檚 plan for safely relaunching the economy would be forthcoming with timelines, testing and reopening in stages.
Minister Ng responded in general terms the government鈥檚 measures for businesses included access to cash flow and keeping employees hired so that they will be prepared for when the economy restarts. Rempel Garner noted the answers given didn鈥檛 indicate that a specific plan or timeline was in development.
In response to the Industry Minister鈥檚 unavailability, the committee passed a motion calling for him to appear by Thursday, April 30.
MP Jeremy Patzer has asked constituents and concerned members of industry to bring their questions related to Canadian industry to his attention.
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