Transport Committee on Feb. 17th, 2011

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

Well, as I said earlier, we have guests who are invited to that 11 a.m. meeting, and they're flying in from Europe.

[Brian Jean, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB]

Mr. Chair, I understand that. The motion I proposed was 3:30 p.m.; Mr. McCallum wanted the 11 a.m.

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

I can't do it.

[Brian Jean, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB]

No, I understand, Mr. Chair.

Mr. McCallum.

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

If you want to amend it to 3:30, the regular time, I can make those changes, but I cannot change the 11 a.m. We have guests coming in from Europe to talk about the issues of air safety, which is what that special meeting was designated for.

[John McCallum, Liberal, Markham—Unionville, ON]

My motive on the time was because Joe Volpe is chairing a committee at that time. But I guess we have no choice; we'll put it at 3:30 p.m.

[Brian Jean, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB]

As I advised, Mr. Chair, I'm more than happy to meet with Mr. Volpe and Mr. McCallum, or any other members, on the Monday or Tuesday before the meeting to try to resolve some of the issues we have. I think for the most part we'll be able to come to a compromise regarding most of the amendments on Bill C-511.

I'd invite the NDP and Bloc to that as well, if they'd like to talk about specific amendments.

I would move that motion, Mr. Chair, and I do have a copy of it here.

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

Do we have it in French and English?

[Brian Jean, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB]

We have it in both French and English.

I understand that my friend Mr. McCallum has an amendment to it. I have no difficulty with that friendly amendment he's proposed.

I would also make note that because of the nature of the motion originally, and now in the spirit of cooperation that's taken hold of all of us, the motion I've given everyone should be changed from Wednesday, March 2, to Thursday, March 3.

I would ask that Mr. McCallum make that amendment as well.

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

I'm wondering if I could get a copy of that motion.

[Brian Jean, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB]

As I said, Mr. Chair, I'm not asking for the motion to be voted on with the Wednesday, March 2 date because it does not need to be reported back to the House until Thursday, March 3. The proper date should be reflected, just to give us ample time to study Bill C-511.

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

There's a motion before us.

I understand, Mr. McCallum, you have an amendment to this motion.

[John McCallum, Liberal, Markham—Unionville, ON]

Yes, Mr. Chair. Is there any chance that the visitors we have for 11 o'clock on that day could instead come at 3:30?

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

At this point I would say no, based on the conversations I've had with them. They're flying in for about a two-and-a-half-day meeting and then out again. I could check, but my understanding is that they are coming in for Monday, Tuesday, and then out on Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning.

[Brian Jean, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB]

Mr. Chair, I'm fully happy to have it reflect both times, and to have you check with the individuals as to what time would be best for them and have you make that decision.

Certainly, as I said, I'm prepared to meet with Mr. Volpe beforehand and conclude any arrangements that we can.

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

If we're going to do that, we'd have to modify the motion.

[Brian Jean, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB]

Well, the friendly amendment of Mr. McCallum--

[John McCallum, Liberal, Markham—Unionville, ON]

I have an amendment anyway, I think.

Shall I propose my amendment?

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

Please.

[John McCallum, Liberal, Markham—Unionville, ON]

Starting at the second to last line, it would be:

this committee immediately begin study of the bill on Tuesday, March 1, at either 11 a.m. or 3:30 p.m.

[Brian Jean, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB]

And add “at the discretion of the chair”.

[John McCallum, Liberal, Markham—Unionville, ON]

Yes, “or 3:30 p.m., at the discretion of the chair”.

We would cross out “and do not adjourn until clause-by-clause is concluded”, and say:

at the discretion of the chair, and that the committee report the bill to the House on Thursday, March 3, 2011.

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

For everybody who is reading along, line 3 would say:

this committee immediately begin study of the bill on Tuesday, March 1, 2011, at either 11 a.m. or 3:30 p.m, and that the committee report the bill to the House on Thursday, March 3, 2011.

[John McCallum, Liberal, Markham—Unionville, ON]

I said “at the discretion of the chair”. You can drop that if you wish.

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

No, I'm sorry. It says:

at the discretion of the chair, and that the committee report the bill to the House on Thursday, March 3, 2011.

I'm suggesting that your amendment should recommend the date of Thursday, March 3.