Evidence of meeting #48 for Government Operations and Estimates in the 41st Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was cgsb.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Desmond Gray  Director General, Acquisitions Branch, PWGSC, Canadian General Standards Board
Begonia Lojk  Director, Acquisitions Branch, PWGSC, Canadian General Standards Board

12:10 p.m.

Conservative

Greg Kerr Conservative West Nova, NS

Is there any time left for Chris?

12:10 p.m.

NDP

The Chair NDP Pat Martin

You have 30 seconds, Chris, if you have a brief comment or question.

12:10 p.m.

Conservative

Chris Warkentin Conservative Peace River, AB

I am more confused than ever, because the Standards Council of Canada was expressing great concern, and now you are telling us that the Standards Council sorted it all out, so I am at a little bit of a loss, but we probably don't have time to correct that. Maybe we need to chat with them a little bit.

12:10 p.m.

NDP

The Chair NDP Pat Martin

I notice that your name is on the list after the next questioner, Chris, so you might want to continue that then.

While I have the floor, I will announce that the emergency power is good for only 20 minutes. If the lights are not back on in 10 minutes, I think we'll have to adjourn the meeting, because we'll need five minutes to gather our things and it will be pitch-black if the power has not returned. In the interests of safety, etc. we'll have to adjourn the meeting in 10 minutes if we don't have the power back on. That does give us time for two more rounds of questions, though.

Mr. Brahmi, you have five minutes.

12:10 p.m.

NDP

Tarik Brahmi NDP Saint-Jean, QC

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I would like to go back to the question about the ISO.

More than 20 years ago, when I began my studies in microelectronics, there was competition in electronics and microelectronics between ISO, which is more European, and the American National Standards Institute, or ANSI, which was American.

Is this competition still ongoing? Is there still a power struggle between Europe and the United States?

12:10 p.m.

Director, Acquisitions Branch, PWGSC, Canadian General Standards Board

Begonia Lojk

Yes, there is a little, even between ISO and the International Electrotechnical Commission, or the IEC. These organizations work together in the sector. ISO and IEC have a joint committee, the JTC 1. Sometimes there is also a bit of competition between the major American standards development organizations, such as ASTM, which sees itself as a global organization that is equal to ISO. ISO, however, considers itself to be the only international organization. In short, I would say that this competition still exists.

However, I don't know about Europe.

12:10 p.m.

NDP

Tarik Brahmi NDP Saint-Jean, QC

As Canadian representatives, where do you position yourself in that dynamic?

12:10 p.m.

Director, Acquisitions Branch, PWGSC, Canadian General Standards Board

Begonia Lojk

The CGSB provides a technical contribution, but it is so small that it is not involved in this competitive dynamic.

12:10 p.m.

NDP

Tarik Brahmi NDP Saint-Jean, QC

Now I'll move on to harmonization.

Two days ago, we heard from a provincial organization from Quebec, and a national organization. They told us about this increasing trend of using binational standards—with the United States—and international standards.

I'm always thinking about rail safety, but this might also apply to other areas.

With the adoption of broader standards, do we risk not considering the specific local characteristics, which might be a danger to public health and safety?

12:15 p.m.

Director, Acquisitions Branch, PWGSC, Canadian General Standards Board

Begonia Lojk

There is always a risk, which is why it is important for Canadian participation to be strong.

If we develop a standard in Canada, with only Canadians, the voice is solely Canadian, but if we are working with other countries, our voice is a little diluted. Essentially, standardization involves cooperation and negotiation, so when it comes to standardization, it is very important to have a strong voice when we are working with other countries. The risk is always there, but it can be managed.

12:15 p.m.

NDP

Tarik Brahmi NDP Saint-Jean, QC

My question is for both of you.

Have there been any cases where you have felt the need to emphasize this more Canadian or more local aspect, when it comes to risk? Could you provide an example?

12:15 p.m.

Director, Acquisitions Branch, PWGSC, Canadian General Standards Board

Begonia Lojk

Are you asking for a technical example?

12:15 p.m.

NDP

Tarik Brahmi NDP Saint-Jean, QC

Yes.

12:15 p.m.

Director, Acquisitions Branch, PWGSC, Canadian General Standards Board

Begonia Lojk

First, I should say that I don't work in the technical area.

12:15 p.m.

NDP

Tarik Brahmi NDP Saint-Jean, QC

But could you give us an example you have heard about?

12:15 p.m.

Director, Acquisitions Branch, PWGSC, Canadian General Standards Board

Begonia Lojk

Yes.

The members of certain committees wear what we call immersion suits in the course of their work. Now, these people work together. That said, a few years ago, someone from Transport Canada told me that he was a little concerned about the conditions in Canada, because the temperature of the waters here are much colder. So the tests were different for Canada.

As I said earlier, there is always a way to manage these risks. However, it is important to have our experts contribute.

12:15 p.m.

NDP

Tarik Brahmi NDP Saint-Jean, QC

Mr. Gray, do you have any comments?

12:15 p.m.

Director General, Acquisitions Branch, PWGSC, Canadian General Standards Board

Desmond Gray

There is always a balance between the aspects that are important for Canada and having access to all the markets.

I agree with Ms. Lojk that Canada must be present at the table and be heard. What's most important is being at the table, but sometimes we aren't there.

12:15 p.m.

NDP

Tarik Brahmi NDP Saint-Jean, QC

Okay. Thank you.

12:15 p.m.

NDP

The Chair NDP Pat Martin

I believe, Mr. Brahmi, your time has expired. Thank you.

Chris Warkentin, you have five minutes, as long as the lights hold.

12:15 p.m.

Conservative

Chris Warkentin Conservative Peace River, AB

Thank you, Chair.

We'll get back to the question that I was asking, or maybe I was just expressing my confusion—

[Technical Difficulty--Editor]

12:15 p.m.

NDP

The Chair NDP Pat Martin

The meeting is adjourned.