Industry Committee on Oct. 19th, 2010

[Serge Cardin, Bloc, Sherbrooke, QC]

I would like us to decide what we're talking about. I think we are still on the Electricity and Gas Inspection Act. Mr. Lake has asked that measures also be taken for fish, but I don't think that's in any way related.

If we stay with the Electricity and Gas Inspection Act, we're talking about the amendment that is to be made to this bill. How can it affect the pump, fish, or anything else? Can we settle the question of the Electricity and Gas Inspection Act in terms of this amendment, and stop mixing fish up with it? That is a completely different thing.

I think there is also an amendment a little farther on that deals with the Weights and Measures Act. Let's clarify this point, and we can finish a little quicker.

[The Chair, Conservative, David Sweet]

Thank you, Mr. Cardin. It's not really a point of order. I understand that you'd like some clarification on that.

[Serge Cardin, Bloc, Sherbrooke, QC]

That's another way of putting it.

[The Chair, Conservative, David Sweet]

Mr. Masse, do you mind if Mr. Cotton answers that directly?

[Brian Masse, NDP, Windsor West, ON]

Of course, that's what I'm trying to get at. So it has been helpful. Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, David Sweet]

Mr. Cotton, you can reply to that question.

[Carl Cotton]

Thank you, Mr. Cardin. That was what I was trying to say 15 minutes ago. We're talking about electricity and gas.

Our opinion is that it isn't necessary to add this section to the Electricity and Gas Inspection Act. We have consulted our stakeholders, and it was not determined to be an issue. The program has been in place since 1986. We do verifications every year, product verifications every year, at the accredited organizations. We have not identified any problems in the training of the technicians who work in the meter shops. So in terms of the Electricity and Gas Inspection Act, we don't see why that would have to be included in the Act.

If we continue the discussion, it will be to talk about it in relation to weights and measures.

[The Chair, Conservative, David Sweet]

Thank you, Mr. Cotton.

Mr. Masse had a redirection.

[Brian Masse, NDP, Windsor West, ON]

Thank you. That's what I'm trying to clarify here.

You're saying this is in the energy clause, yet you just mentioned to me, when I listed retail, food, grain, that all those things are now affected by this. How is that...? I'm not a lawyer, but we were talking about a specific clause in a specific section for ENG but now you're suggesting that opens it up to all the other sectors.

[Carl Cotton]

No, what I'm hoping to do is nail away the ENG debate. We don't agree with this. Let's discuss weights and measures. Weights and measures are another story. We're dealing with different stakeholders. We do have a formal training process in place. I guess from where I'm sitting it would be very useful for the committee to determine whether or not this is required for ENG in light of the fact that we've consulted with stakeholders. They have not identified it as an issue in light of the fact that we've had a series of audits over the last 25 years that have not discovered any problems. So let's deal with ENG. Then we can talk about weights and measures.

[Brian Masse, NDP, Windsor West, ON]

I know, but in your exchange with the parliamentary secretary we went down this road assuming that if we amend this clause it will affect fish, poultry, dairy, and mining—and it won't. We want to be clear about that.

[Mike Lake, Conservative, Edmonton—Mill Woods—Beaumont, AB]

In fairness to the witnesses, the question I asked was about both clauses. In my preface I made that very clear.

[Brian Masse, NDP, Windsor West, ON]

Whatever, but let's make sure we're clear that this does not affect those other sectors. If we stick to the amendment we're discussing now, it might be helpful.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Conservative, David Sweet]

Thank you, Mr. Masse.

Mr. Rota.

[Anthony Rota, Liberal, Nipissing—Timiskaming, ON]

Everybody wants uniformity--I don't think that's an issue here--and it seems that different sectors have different needs. Perhaps we can amend this amendment at the end, after “as inspections are conducted uniformly”, and add: “and for greater certainty in each particular sector”.

Basically, it gives some flexibility and allows the amendment to work.

[The Chair, Conservative, David Sweet]

Mr. Bouchard.

[Serge Cardin, Bloc, Sherbrooke, QC]

...including fish!

[Anthony Rota, Liberal, Nipissing—Timiskaming, ON]

Yes, that includes fish, in each sector, that's quite true!

[Robert Bouchard, Bloc, Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

If I'm not mistaken, you said Mr. McTeague's amendment is not necessary for electricity and gas because there are well-organized big companies and they have all the resources needed.

I would like to talk about the specific case of Hydro-Québec. If we adopted Mr. McTeague's amendment today, what would that change?

[Carl Cotton]

I think Measurement Canada would be responsible for training Hydro-Québec technicians. At present, that is the job of Hydro-Québec. We monitor the way the company has implemented the process. When we do our verifications and interviews, we assess how it has been implemented. Our verifications haven't identified any problems with electricity and gas training.

[Robert Bouchard, Bloc, Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC]

That means you would be more involved with Hydro-Québec.

[Carl Cotton]

If this amendment were in force, yes. I think we would be more involved in their operations...

[Robert Bouchard, Bloc, Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC]

...in terms of administering the measures...

[Carl Cotton]

Yes.

[Robert Bouchard, Bloc, Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC]

...relating to electricity and gas.

Thank you.