At 5:44 p.m., the meeting was suspended.

At 5:49 p.m., the meeting resumed.

It was agreed, — That the committee proceed to sit in public.

At 5:54 p.m., the meeting was suspended.

At 6:10 p.m., the meeting resumed in public.

Jean-Denis Garon moved, — That,

considering Standing Orders 83.1 of the House, which authorizes the Standing Committee on Finance to examine proposals concerning the government's budgetary policies as early as September in anticipation of the budget for the coming fiscal year;

considering that it is customary for the committee to conduct pre-budget studies and to table a report of its observations and recommendations to the House in accordance with the rules established by the Standing Orders;

considering that the fiscal year ends on March 31 of each year and that a new fiscal year begins on April 1 of each year;

considering that the last budget was tabled in April 2024 and that the new government has not tabled a budget for the year 2025;

considering that the government has announced that it will table its budget on November 4, 2025, and that no public consultation has been held in anticipation of this budget;

considering that the Minister of Finance has not yet announced whether his government will table a budget for the year 2026;

considering that, as a result, the committee is unable to carry out its parliamentary work and that citizens and organizations participating in this pre-budget exercise do not have the opportunity to comment on and make recommendations regarding the government's budgetary policies;

the committee request that the Minister of Finance appear no later than Wednesday, September 24, 2025, for at least two hours to answer the committee's questions so that the committee can then carry out its work properly and effectively and fulfill its mandate; and

That the committee report to the House.

Debate arose thereon.