Transport Committee on Nov. 18th, 2013

[Lisa Raitt, Conservative, Halton, ON]

—but I'm happy to have a conversation when we have more time so I can give you some assurances as to exactly what's going on there.

I fully agree with you. The sensitivities of rail through that community again are very important, and we want to make sure we get it right for the community—

[The Chair, Conservative, Larry Miller]

Okay—

[Jean Rousseau, NDP, Compton—Stanstead, QC]

Because before they arrive in Mégantic, they cross my riding, with 70 kilometres....

[Lisa Raitt, Conservative, Halton, ON]

I agree, Monsieur. We will talk about it, okay?

[Jean Rousseau, NDP, Compton—Stanstead, QC]

Okay.

[The Chair, Conservative, Larry Miller]

Okay. Thank you very much.

I apologize, Mr. Rousseau, but we're almost out of time.

Mr. Komarnicki, for one question.

[Ed Komarnicki, Conservative, Souris—Moose Mountain, SK]

Thank you.

Minister, I'll take advantage of my one question and welcome you to the committee. I've followed you in various portfolios, certainly, and it's good to see you in this one.

I come, of course, from southeastern Saskatchewan and the Bakken oil field. Not only is it in South Dakota, but it's also in southeastern Saskatchewan. They haul oil by truck, by rail, and by pipeline, and of course they're meeting all kinds of constraints. They want to be sure that they're able to transport the material, but they want to be able to do it safely.

I know that we transport very safely even now, but if there's some preventative action that can be taken, they want to see that. If there can be a response in the event of an accident, they want to see the best response possible, and of course liability by the railroads.

I know that you opened by saying that you wanted this committee to play an active role in reviewing transportation safety in Canada. Why do you feel that's important? How might it address the issues that our communities—particularly, say, in southeast Saskatchewan—view as very important?

[Lisa Raitt, Conservative, Halton, ON]

Very quickly, Mr. Chair, along the lines of what Mr. McGuinty said, I'm very cognizant of the fact that we are shipping more oil by rail, and people in Canada see that happening. They see the cars going through their communities. That's why we found it was really important for us to go...I didn't go to Saskatchewan, but I did go to Manitoba, and I visited a newly built transloading facility for transferring oil from a pipeline directly into tank cars. It was just commissioned in September of this year.

I think the committee should see and hear about that. They should see where these things are developing, because an industry is developing around the need to ship our natural resources in a way that makes sense, and that's why I think it's important for the committee to take a look at it. These things are happening already, and we need to ensure that we are keeping pace, that we understand the issues, and that as good legislators we're doing what we need to do to ensure the safety of Canadians. So I look forward to hearing the results from the committee. I appreciate any feedback, and I'm glad to hear the officials will be helping this along as well.

[The Chair, Conservative, Larry Miller]

There's never enough time, Madam Minister, but we appreciate having you and your officials here, and we thank you for that.

Before we suspend for a couple of minutes, I would like to ask to go in camera, due to committee business and the limited amount of time we have left.

I would ask everybody to leave the room as quickly as possible as soon as we suspend, and thank you very much.

[Lisa Raitt, Conservative, Halton, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I have the letter to the committee with respect to my request. Can I leave it with you?

[The Chair, Conservative, Larry Miller]

That would be great.

[Lisa Raitt, Conservative, Halton, ON]

I don't know what the technical...I don't know if I table anything.

[Olivia Chow, NDP, Trinity—Spadina, ON]

Mr. Chair, why are we going...?

Mr. Chair, a point of order. Don't we need to—

[The Chair, Conservative, Larry Miller]

Yes, we're going....

[Olivia Chow, NDP, Trinity—Spadina, ON]

Before you adjourn—

[The Chair, Conservative, Larry Miller]

My apologies. Yes, before we suspend, we have to deal with the supplementary estimates we have here.

[Olivia Chow, NDP, Trinity—Spadina, ON]

That's the main item.

[The Chair, Conservative, Larry Miller]

Yes, it is.

We have two different items here: one under Infrastructure, Communities, and Intergovernmental Affairs, and the other one under Transport.

With your unanimous consent, we can deal with this all together, or we can go through it. What are your wishes?

All together? Is there any opposition to that?

[David McGuinty, Liberal, Ottawa South, ON]

Chair, could we please clear the room? I can't hear you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Larry Miller]

Order, please.

We're on supplementary estimates (B) for 2013-14.

TRANSPORT

Department

Vote 1b—Operating expenditures..........$9,621,769

Vote 5b—Capital expenditures..........$2,410,440

Vote 10b—The grants listed in the Estimates and contributions—To authorize the transfers of appropriations listed in these Estimates..........$1

The Federal Bridge Corporation Limited

Vote 45b—Payments to The Federal Bridge Corporation..........$1,338,293

The Jacques-Cartier and Champlain Bridges Inc.

Vote 50b—Payments to The Jacques-Cartier and Champlain Bridges Inc...........$70,976,409

Via Rail Canada Inc.

Vote 60b—Payments to VIA Rail Canada Inc............$152,600,000

(Votes 1b, 5b, 10b, 45b, 50b, and 60b agreed to)

Thank you.

Shall the chair report the supplementary estimates (B) 2013-14 to the House?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Chair, Conservative, Larry Miller]

With that, we shall now suspend—

[Olivia Chow, NDP, Trinity—Spadina, ON]

Mr. Chair, why are we going in camera?

[The Chair, Conservative, Larry Miller]

Because we have to deal with the steering committee report.

[Proceedings continue in camera]