Evidence of meeting #49 for Finance in the 41st Parliament, 2nd session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was federal.
A video is available from Parliament.
Policy Director, University of Toronto, Mowat Centre
I wouldn't characterize it as anything, but I think others can characterize it the way they want. Yes, we had a hard time finding a public policy rationale for that.
NDP
Murray Rankin NDP Victoria, BC
I'd like to ask a question of Mr. Mahar of the Amalgamated Transit Union of Canada.
I was really taken, sir, by your summary of how the cost of cars is not being fully internalized, as against transit, in terms of both the environment and of how children, the poor, and the handicapped are disadvantaged. You said we really need a level playing field in order to address the difference between cars and transit. You talked about a survey. I think you said 88% bought into the need for a national strategy on transit.
My question for you is, as you go around talking to Canadians.... What reason is there for such an enormous difference? While 88% want it, we have this lack of internalization that you talked about. Why is the government not acting?
Director, Canadian Council, Amalgamated Transit Union
That's why I'm here today. I want to bring some of that information forward, and I hope that government does act.
I think there's a huge disparity, and you'll see it.... I don't want to keep going back to just Toronto, but Metrolinx has done a great deal of work on that, of course. They've identified the willingness of people to now start paying for public transportation, because of the negative impact of building all the more expensive infrastructure such as roads and bridges, compared with light-rail transit systems and buses and all of those other kinds of things; everybody is paying the price.
NDP
The Vice-Chair NDP Nathan Cullen
Thank you, Mr. Mahar and Mr. Rankin.
We'll go to Mr. Adler, for up to five minutes, please.
Conservative
Mark Adler Conservative York Centre, ON
Thank you to all the witnesses for being here this afternoon.
I have a number of questions. Time is very limited, of course. I have only five minutes, I believe, for my round.
We've been getting a lot of advice over the last month or so on how we should or shouldn't be spending the anticipated fiscal dividend that will appear in the next federal budget.
I'm really struck by the fact that, Mr. Mattina, you're coming forward here today and not asking for anything, no money whatsoever.
Conservative
Mark Adler Conservative York Centre, ON
You just have a couple of suggestions for us.
I want to follow up on one of your suggestions on open tendering. Right now, when the municipal governments want to spend money on a particular infrastructure project, they ask unions to bid on that project. Is that correct?
Chairman, Merit Canada
They don't specifically ask unions; they would ask the trades.
Conservative
Mark Adler Conservative York Centre, ON
Only unionized trades are permitted to bid. Is that correct?
Chairman, Merit Canada
That's only in specific municipalities that have collective bargaining agreements.
Conservative
Mark Adler Conservative York Centre, ON
Okay.
Now, what you're asking for is not that there shouldn't be unions. Is that correct?
Conservative
Mark Adler Conservative York Centre, ON
You're saying that there should be a more open process whereby those trades that are not unionized should be able to compete with those trades that are.
Chairman, Merit Canada
More openness, fairness, and a more level playing field. The bottom line is that you're going to have more bidders, and when you have more bidders, you're going to have more competition.
Conservative
Chairman, Merit Canada
With increased competition, you will potentially have a reduction in pricing, translating to billions in savings. When you take the numbers, even on the conservative side of 20% to 30% cost savings in the Cardus study, when you're looking at a $14-billion build fund, 20% to 30% of that is in the billions. That's what we're here...how to save money.
Conservative