Finance

The committee debated a Liberal motion to undertake a five-meeting study of the “Productivity Super-Deduction” measures in Budget 2025 and the Budget Implementation Act (BIA). Liberal members argued that the study was necessary for the committee to fulfill its mandate, noting that the BIA would eventually be referred to the committee. They highlighted the motion’s focus on tax incentives for business investment, including immediate expensing of machinery, clean energy equipment, and research and development costs, and claimed these measures would lower Canada’s marginal effective tax rate to the lowest in the G7.

Liberal members spoke in favour of the motion, citing support from business groups and the Bank of Canada for productivity-enhancing measures. They argued that the study would allow the committee to hear from stakeholders and advance the BIA’s implementation, which they said would help businesses invest and create jobs during economic uncertainty.

The committee did not vote on the motion. Instead, after a procedural dispute over the speakers list, a Conservative member moved to adjourn the meeting. The committee adjourned without deciding on the motion or the study.