Thank you.
Evidence of meeting #62 for Finance in the 41st Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was work.
A video is available from Parliament.
Evidence of meeting #62 for Finance in the 41st Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was work.
A video is available from Parliament.
4:55 p.m.
Conservative
4:55 p.m.
Conservative
Randy Hoback Conservative Prince Albert, SK
With regard to Canada, I understand that Nigeria and Canada are the only two countries that don't allow foreign vessels to do seismic activities. Is that true?
4:55 p.m.
Chief, Marine Policy and Regulatory Affairs, Department of Transport
Yes, that's correct.
4:55 p.m.
Conservative
Randy Hoback Conservative Prince Albert, SK
So it's just more or less bringing us in line with other countries around the world. Is that not correct?
4:55 p.m.
Chief, Marine Policy and Regulatory Affairs, Department of Transport
That's correct. This will harmonize our seismic environment, just like any other country.
4:55 p.m.
Conservative
4:55 p.m.
Chief, Marine Policy and Regulatory Affairs, Department of Transport
We're expecting it to generate several jobs onshore, at inland locations, at ports, and on board vessels.
4:55 p.m.
Conservative
4:55 p.m.
NDP
Peggy Nash NDP Parkdale—High Park, ON
I have just a couple of quick questions.
Did the Atlantic provinces request this change? Is this something they've been advocating?
4:55 p.m.
Chief, Marine Policy and Regulatory Affairs, Department of Transport
Yes. Newfoundland and Nova Scotia have both expressed the desire for this kind of amendment.
4:55 p.m.
NDP
Peggy Nash NDP Parkdale—High Park, ON
How long has your department been working on this? Is this something that's just come up, or has it been long-standing?
4:55 p.m.
Chief, Marine Policy and Regulatory Affairs, Department of Transport
We commissioned two separate reports on the issue of the application of the Coasting Trade Act. One was in 2005. The second one, in 2007, was specific to the application of the Coasting Trade Act on the offshore industry. It's something we've been looking at and considering for some time now.
4:55 p.m.
NDP
Peggy Nash NDP Parkdale—High Park, ON
Okay.
It's odd that we're dealing with this in the budget implementation act, because it's about the oil industry, about offshore vessels, about seismic activity, and about coastal waters. It's odd that this would be coming before the finance committee. I was just wondering if something sparked this inclusion now, given that you've been studying this going back to 2005.
4:55 p.m.
Chief, Marine Policy and Regulatory Affairs, Department of Transport
We felt that it had a very direct link to the Canadian government's priorities with respect to job growth, research in the offshore, and resource development. To us it was a very strong connection.
4:55 p.m.
NDP
Peggy Nash NDP Parkdale—High Park, ON
Has the oil industry been pushing for this? Is it a change they've been wanting?
4:55 p.m.
Chief, Marine Policy and Regulatory Affairs, Department of Transport
I wouldn't target them or say that it's them.
4:55 p.m.
NDP
4:55 p.m.
Chief, Marine Policy and Regulatory Affairs, Department of Transport
Yes, but even during the studies, we were consulting our marine industry operators, the vessel operators, who support offshore activities, and in both studies, it became very clear that the application of the Coasting Trade Act was particularly problematic for seismic activities.
4:55 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Rajotte
Okay, good.
Thank you very much for your insights today and for responding to our questions. We appreciate that very much.
We will move on, then, to division 39, Status of the Artist Act.
We welcome Ms. Duff back to the committee.
We'll ask you to give an overview of these amendments. Then we'll have questions from members.
4:55 p.m.
Lenore Duff Senior Director, Strategic Policy and Legislative Reform, Department of Human Resources and Skills Development
Division 39 of the enactment dismantles the Canadian Artists and Producers Professional Relations Tribunal and assigns its powers, duties, and functions to the Canada Industrial Relations Board. The government is introducing amendments to the Status of the Artist Act to repeal those sections of the act that establish CAPPRT and to replace all other references to the tribunal with references to the Canadian Industrial Relations Board.
Part II of the Status of the Artist Act will continue to serve as the legislative framework for professional relations between artists and producers in the federal jurisdiction. However, the CIRB will fulfill CAPPRT's responsibilities under the act, with the same duties and powers.
4:55 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Rajotte
Okay, thank you very much for that.
We'll have questions from members.
We'll have Ms. Nash, please.
4:55 p.m.
NDP
Peggy Nash NDP Parkdale—High Park, ON
Just to clarify, this is like the Industrial Relations Board, but it is for the arts community.