Fisheries Committee on Nov. 29th, 2011

[The Chair, Conservative, Rodney Weston]

Thank you, Mr. MacAulay.

Mr. Kamp.

[Randy Kamp, Conservative, Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge—Mission, BC]

Could the clerk clarify what we're actually doing? Are we only going to the West Virginia site? It says Washington, D.C. Were we going to do the site visit and somehow go to Washington, D.C., all in one day? How is that going to work?

[The Clerk of the Committee, Mr. Georges Etoka]

If I may, the idea is that the committee would leave here early in the morning and travel, based on arrangements made by the Virginia company we are visiting. We land in Washington, go to West Virginia, spend the day there, and come back to Washington, where we sleep for the one night. We can spend the next day in Washington meeting with regulators—I gather that's what the committee wanted to do—and then come back in the evening of that day.

[Randy Kamp, Conservative, Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge—Mission, BC]

Do we know there are flights that allow us to do that—leaving in the early morning and coming back in the later evening?

[The Clerk]

I have not looked into flights yet because it has to be approved before I start making any arrangements. But yes, that can be done.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rodney Weston]

Thank you, Mr. Kamp.

Mr. Donnelly.

[Fin Donnelly, NDP, New Westminster—Coquitlam, BC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I'm a little concerned that we would have less than one day at the Freshwater Institute, to check out the facility and then to spend some time asking questions. I wouldn't want to be rushed doing that. I could see a half-day with the regulators, but I'd like a full day at least in visiting the facility and seeing how it operates. Whenever we've done tours, that has been a really important part. Also, we want to sit down and ask the operators a lot of questions, I would imagine.

I personally like what Mike was suggesting in terms of an agenda. Perhaps it needs to include a second night. Certainly, that part of looking at the circulation systems and the operations is critical, I think.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rodney Weston]

Thank you, Mr. Donnelly.

Anything further?

I talked to George, Mr. Donnelly, while you were speaking, about revising this budget to include a second night. That would allow us two full days in the area, so we'd be able to visit the Freshwater Institute and meet with the regulators and not be pushed on time. We'll basically add a second night and a second full day, if that meets the wishes of the committee.

I've asked the clerk to adjust the budget and bring it back on Thursday for members to look at. We'll deal with it at that time.

Are there any further questions or concerns with respect to the budget?

Mr. Donnelly.

[Fin Donnelly, NDP, New Westminster—Coquitlam, BC]

Once the request goes in on Thursday, what is the timeframe?

[The Chair, Conservative, Rodney Weston]

That's something outside of our control. We submit it to the Liaison Committee, and they generally wait until they have a few requests before them. I would assume there would be a meeting fairly soon, because there hasn't been a meeting called since the original organizing meeting this fall to elect a chair and the subcommittee. I would think there'd be some requests piling up and the committee should be meeting soon.

[Fin Donnelly, NDP, New Westminster—Coquitlam, BC]

So is it safe to assume we will hear back before our session rises?

[The Chair, Conservative, Rodney Weston]

I think that's a fair assessment. I think that's a safe bet.

[Fin Donnelly, NDP, New Westminster—Coquitlam, BC]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rodney Weston]

Anything further?

There being nothing further, I will adjourn this meeting.