Evidence of meeting #23 for Industry, Science and Technology in the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was pumps.
A recording is available from Parliament.
10:45 a.m.
Bloc
Robert Bouchard Bloc Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC
Would the situation be different than it is today if Bill C-14 were to be passed?
10:45 a.m.
Senior Advisor, Association québécoise des indépendants du pétrole
If our retailers were subject both to Bill C-14 and to Quebec legislation the same devices would be inspected twice. That does not work.
10:45 a.m.
Bloc
Robert Bouchard Bloc Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC
I have another question. We will have to decide on this bill. Do you believe there are steps to be taken or consultations to be done before a recommendation can be made on this bill? What should we do? What steps should be taken?
10:45 a.m.
Senior Advisor, Association québécoise des indépendants du pétrole
All members know that it is important to avoid having retailers subject to two sets of concurrent regulations. That is obvious. I think everyone would admit that. The legislation must provide that there would not be duplication.
10:45 a.m.
Senior Advisor, Association québécoise des indépendants du pétrole
You're welcome.
10:45 a.m.
Bloc
Serge Cardin Bloc Sherbrooke, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
What do you see as being very different or new here? Clearly we've increased penalties, etc. There is an accreditation and a registration program. I would like to get back to Mr. Bouchard's question. At this point inspections are carried out by Measurement Canada. That is done randomly, but if the legislation is passed, it would probably be through regulations, at least every two years.
You are saying that you have inspections done every two years. Are your inspectors certified by the Government of Quebec or by Measurement Canada?
10:45 a.m.
Senior Advisor, Association québécoise des indépendants du pétrole
By the Government of Quebec.
10:45 a.m.
Bloc
Serge Cardin Bloc Sherbrooke, QC
Very well. So, the change would be that you would have auditors and inspectors from Measurement Canada carrying out inspections, is that correct?
10:45 a.m.
Senior Advisor, Association québécoise des indépendants du pétrole
No, that should not happen, as they would be doing exactly the same thing.
10:45 a.m.
Bloc
10:45 a.m.
Senior Advisor, Association québécoise des indépendants du pétrole
That makes no sense.
10:45 a.m.
Bloc
Serge Cardin Bloc Sherbrooke, QC
These people did not use to exist, they will now. That is precisely the overlap you feared.
10:45 a.m.
Senior Advisor, Association québécoise des indépendants du pétrole
That is correct. And when you refer to fines, things are much simpler in Quebec. Someone who breaks the law loses his licence and must shut down. It's even simpler.
10:45 a.m.
Bloc
Serge Cardin Bloc Sherbrooke, QC
That means that today you have your own inspectors. When Measurement Canada comes in, randomly, with its inspectors, they use a seal to attest to the fact that it is—
10:45 a.m.
Chair of the Board of Directors, Association québécoise des indépendants du pétrole
They do not. Inspectors ensure that it is working.
10:45 a.m.
Chair of the Board of Directors, Association québécoise des indépendants du pétrole
It is actually 20 litres; it is called a “Seraphin” in French. They take measurements and if there's non-compliance, they advise us of it. However, they do not do anything mechanical and do not touch the seal. They simply check to see if things are working correctly.
10:45 a.m.
Bloc
Serge Cardin Bloc Sherbrooke, QC
If there were a big discrepancy, they would have to recalibrate wouldn't they?
10:45 a.m.
Chair of the Board of Directors, Association québécoise des indépendants du pétrole
In that case, the pump would be repaired. It can happen, that is a mechanical problem.
10:45 a.m.
Bloc
Serge Cardin Bloc Sherbrooke, QC
Who is currently giving the people that do the repairs the authorization to do so?
10:45 a.m.
Chair of the Board of Directors, Association québécoise des indépendants du pétrole
In fact, oil companies have the authority to do that.
10:45 a.m.
Chair of the Board of Directors, Association québécoise des indépendants du pétrole
No, that would apply in Quebec. I would not want to presume. I do not know exactly whether it is through Measurement Canada or—
10:45 a.m.
Bloc
Serge Cardin Bloc Sherbrooke, QC
Very well. So, there's the fact that the government is adding inspectors and also intends to authorize and accredit auditors or people specializing in calibration. That is what will—