Evidence of meeting #52 for Transport, Infrastructure and Communities in the 41st Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was minutes.
A recording is available from Parliament.
11:15 a.m.
Conservative
Jeff Watson Conservative Essex, ON
A point of order, Mr. Chair.
Coming out of camera, I believe the floor should be Mr. Poilievre's at this particular point.
11:15 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Larry Miller
Okay, but Ms. Chow was bringing up a point. I haven't heard what that point is.
Ms. Chow, what is your point?
11:15 a.m.
NDP
Olivia Chow NDP Trinity—Spadina, ON
I'm moving an amendment to the letter that is now in front of us, as we're coming out of in camera, the letter to the Standing Committee on Finance. It's the second—
11:15 a.m.
Conservative
11:15 a.m.
NDP
11:15 a.m.
Conservative
Pierre Poilievre Conservative Nepean—Carleton, ON
There was a media report about a so-called clerical error, and I'm trying to ascertain whether that was of a substantive nature or whether it was simply a pedantic question that was affected.
I'm wondering if the clerk could shine light on whether there was such a clerical error and what it was.
11:15 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Larry Miller
First of all, the clerical error wasn't something that came from me as chair or the clerk. That was something mentioned by one or more media types, as you noted.
I'll ask the clerk to explain it, but he called me last week. The blues did not represent exactly what Ms. Chow had said in the meeting. I was on the road at the time with poor cell service, so I had to trust what have you.
With that, if the clerk wants to explain exactly what those changes were....
11:15 a.m.
The Clerk of the Committee Mr. Alexandre Roger
It's as the chair said. The Minutes of Proceedings did not appropriately reflect the wording Ms. Chow used in her motion. After clarification, and after rereading the evidence of the committee, I came to the conclusion that there was an error in the minutes, and I changed the minutes after informing the chair.
11:15 a.m.
Conservative
Pierre Poilievre Conservative Nepean—Carleton, ON
Just so we're clear on what the error is and what it is not, I'd like to ask a very precise question. Did you receive a document entitled “Infrastructure Funding Study Proposal” from the New Democratic delegation?
11:15 a.m.
The Clerk
The entire committee got that document. It was circulated by Ms. Chow.
11:15 a.m.
Conservative
Pierre Poilievre Conservative Nepean—Carleton, ON
Okay. In this document, it says:
4. “Penny Tax”
• One percent municipally-levied value added sales tax....
• Local sales taxes common in several countries in Europe, Southeast Asia and in the United States.
• Presents an alternative to raising property taxes.
• Referenda on these taxes (funds earmarked for local infrastructure) in the United States have largely been successful.
5. Reinvest Value Capture Recommendation by Australia Infrastructure Finance Working Group.
• Properties directly benefiting from new/renewed infrastructure contribute to reduce costs.
The same document makes reference to a proposal of “German subsidization of local roads and transit through surplus revenues of fuel duty”.
Did your clerical error amend this document in any way, shape, or form?
11:15 a.m.
The Clerk
No.
11:15 a.m.
Conservative
Pierre Poilievre Conservative Nepean—Carleton, ON
So this document is as it was submitted by the New Democratic delegation to this committee?
11:15 a.m.
The Clerk
Yes.
11:15 a.m.
Conservative
Pierre Poilievre Conservative Nepean—Carleton, ON
Nothing in this document would have been changed or in any way affected by the clerical error to which you earlier made reference?
11:15 a.m.
The Clerk
No. The only thing that has been changed is the Minutes of Proceedings.
11:15 a.m.
Conservative
Pierre Poilievre Conservative Nepean—Carleton, ON
Okay, the minutes, but this proposal was not impacted in any way by this clerical error?
11:20 a.m.
The Clerk
No.
11:20 a.m.
Conservative
Pierre Poilievre Conservative Nepean—Carleton, ON
I note that the blues and the minutes are fairly regularly fixed after the fact. We recognize that there are errors in taking them due to time constraints, and with the reflection of time we're able to make the proper corrections. These things happen almost always with no controversy on any side of the table.
It sounds to me as if the clerical error is the kind that happens on a semi-regular basis in committees and not something that was extraordinary to this committee. Would that be accurate?
11:20 a.m.
The Clerk
There are mistakes from time to time in the evidence. It happens.
11:20 a.m.
The Clerk
When the clerk informs the publications directorate, they make the appropriate changes in the evidence of the committee. Some such errors can appear in the minutes, which will be changed and then better reflect what MPs have said during the meetings.