Yes, go ahead.
Evidence of meeting #56 for Finance in the 41st Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site.) The winning word was measure.
A video is available from Parliament.
Evidence of meeting #56 for Finance in the 41st Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site.) The winning word was measure.
A video is available from Parliament.
4:30 p.m.
NDP
Murray Rankin NDP Victoria, BC
Thank you.
This is just a quick follow-up. The issue is whether it's likely to adversely affect aviation safety or not in the public interest. Is there any structuring of that wide-open discretion as regards public interest? Is there any documentation or guidance that's provided in how that discretion would be exercised?
4:30 p.m.
Acting Director General, Civil Aviation, Department of Transport
The minister's discretion in terms of public interest is embedded in the Aeronautics Act. The minister would intervene under the four corners of the Aeronautics Act where the principle is embedded in the Aeronautics Act only.
4:30 p.m.
NDP
4:30 p.m.
Acting Director General, Civil Aviation, Department of Transport
It has to relate to the authorities in the Aeronautics Act, yes.
4:30 p.m.
NDP
Murray Rankin NDP Victoria, BC
That go beyond simply public safety, obviously, or you wouldn't have put that there. It's something beyond that, yet it must relate to aeronautics policy.
4:30 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Rajotte
I think that's all I have for this division.
We'll thank our officials for being with us. We'll see you back here again for clause-by-clause study.
We will move to division 3.
I want to welcome our officials to the committee. Thank you so much for being with us here today.
I have notice of a question from Mr. Brison regarding the Canadian high Arctic research station act.
Mr. Brison.
4:30 p.m.
Liberal
Scott Brison Liberal Kings—Hants, NS
What is the rationale for subjecting Canadian high Arctic research station employees to part 7 of the Public Service Employment Act rules concerning political activities?
November 5th, 2014 / 4:30 p.m.
Stephen Van Dine Director General, Northern Strategic Policy Branch, Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
Part 7 applies to all federal public servants today. We're aligning that specific provision to that departmental corporation, so that it would be subject to the same requirements of all public servants in the federal public service.
4:30 p.m.
Liberal
Scott Brison Liberal Kings—Hants, NS
It didn't apply or will you confirm that it did not apply to employees of the Canadian Polar Commission?
4:30 p.m.
Director General, Northern Strategic Policy Branch, Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
I'm unable to confirm that right now. I'll have to get back to you to see whether that's the case.
4:30 p.m.
Liberal
4:30 p.m.
Director General, Northern Strategic Policy Branch, Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
Yes.
4:30 p.m.
NDP
Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC
Thank you, Chair.
I have a question and it may be hard to get at, but has the effect of the mandate of the combining of the agencies changed the amount of money being allocated to various types of research being done in the Canadian Arctic?
4:30 p.m.
Director General, Northern Strategic Policy Branch, Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
No, this is incremental funding for this purpose. There have been some investments and I can look at the chronology of additional investments that have been made to other Arctic activities over the last number of years. This funding for the combined institution and the science and technology program is incremental over and above what is being spent in the north right now.
4:35 p.m.
NDP
Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC
It's more a question of mandate though. With regard to what's being studied and for whom, there's always going to be a competition for dollars when it comes to science. Some of the science being done by this new agency will be done exploring resource potential of the Arctic. Is that correct?
4:35 p.m.
Director General, Northern Strategic Policy Branch, Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
I believe you are asking that with the entrance of chairs in the arctic science and technology field, those that are currently in that field will then potentially be in competition for other research dollars that may be available in the future. Is that correct?
4:35 p.m.
NDP
Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC
Let me be specific. With this new entity being created, my assumption is that there is research being done about something like the category of resource potential in the Canadian Arctic. Yes?
4:35 p.m.
Director General, Northern Strategic Policy Branch, Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
Correct.
4:35 p.m.
NDP
Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC
There's also research being done on the impacts of climate change in the Arctic. Is that correct?
4:35 p.m.
Director General, Northern Strategic Policy Branch, Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
Correct.