Transport Committee on Nov. 7th, 2006

[Andy Scott, Liberal, Fredericton, NB]

Earlier this year, the Prime Minister came to Fredericton and announced the commitment to establish HBIF. He also suggested there were some municipalities that wanted to use the gas tax money that was limited to green for other purposes. At the time, he said they would change that. Is there time to do so?

[Louis Ranger]

Well, let me take thirty seconds.

We set up three teams this summer and spent considerable time across the country talking to all ten provinces and territories. If there was something we heard loud and clear, it was to allow more flexibility.

With respect to the overall direction and the spirit of those funds, that's what we're working on right now.

[Andy Scott, Liberal, Fredericton, NB]

But so far, it's still green.

[Louis Ranger]

That's correct.

[Andy Scott, Liberal, Fredericton, NB]

On the question of flexibility, then, I'm a little concerned that under HBIF, the core highways will be dealt with before the feeder highways. Do you envision the possibility of that kind of flexibility? The province wants to do 11, 17, and 8 in New Brunswick. There is a core highway that would be Route 1 from Saint John to St. Stephen, but I don't think that would be the province's choice. I'm fearful that the program won't allow them to do feeder highways as long as there are core highways that aren't done.

[Louis Ranger]

That was a major decision that was announced at Charlottetown in September.

Even in New Brunswick, we've argued that there is still a lot of work to be done on core. We're hoping that if we continue to inject significant funds on core, this will allow the province to reallocate some of its money to feeders. But at the end of the day, the minister did announce that we would have flexibility, that we would not be focused only on core, even though the needs are really there, because we've recognized that there are also needs for feeders.

[Andy Scott, Liberal, Fredericton, NB]

So you see the possibility, at least, for that kind of flexibility.

[Louis Ranger]

That's correct.

[Andy Scott, Liberal, Fredericton, NB]

That will be very much appreciated by the Department of Transportation in the province of New Brunswick, I can tell you that.

[Louis Ranger]

Yes, Mr. Johnstone in particular.

[Andy Scott, Liberal, Fredericton, NB]

Yes, he will like to hear that.

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

Monsieur Carrier.

[Robert Carrier, Bloc, Alfred-Pellan, QC]

I will share my time with Mr. Laframboise.

[Mario Laframboise, Bloc, Argenteuil—Papineau—Mirabel, QC]

If I may, I just have one question to ask. Your operating budget mentioned the National Marine and Industrial Council. A detailed maritime plan was produced by the council, on which you sit with the maritime industry.

Do you have officials working on that? That is my question.

[Louis Ranger]

Yes, absolutely. The detail plan was produced by the industry, which devoted considerable resources and talent to it. It is a comprehensive document, as you saw.

[Mario Laframboise, Bloc, Argenteuil—Papineau—Mirabel, QC]

Who produced it, you, or the industry?

[Louis Ranger]

The industry.

[Mario Laframboise, Bloc, Argenteuil—Papineau—Mirabel, QC]

And the national council is—

[Louis Ranger]

The national council is something that was invented with the private sector. The industry was seeking a forum through which to connect with the government. Not only with the deputy minister for transport, but with other deputy ministers in other departments: the environment, industry, etc. We meet every three months; it includes industry representatives, senior government officials.

[Mario Laframboise, Bloc, Argenteuil—Papineau—Mirabel, QC]

But not labour. I think this council has come up with some odd recommendations: changing the Canadian Labour Code; creating a human resources sectoral council for marine transport, making the national council permanent but not having any labour representatives on it. The council only includes management and government. An entire group has been sidelined, in other words, the workers. It is referred to as the National Marine and Industrial Council, yet workers are nowhere to be seen.

Is not there something wrong with that?

[Louis Ranger]

At first, the industry was not only seeking a one-time opportunity, but an ongoing relationship with government, and the council was created. That does not mean that there are no other opportunities to work with labour. The proof of that has been that Mr. Grégoire has been working with longshoremen associations for years now.

[Mario Laframboise, Bloc, Argenteuil—Papineau—Mirabel, QC]

He is the one turning down the request we have here. He does not want them seating on this council.

[Louis Ranger]

That is something else. There are other security issues at the port. There are other fora.

[Robert Carrier, Bloc, Alfred-Pellan, QC]

I would like to quickly get back to the Urban Transportation Showcase Program, that I asked the Minister about earlier. I wanted time for another question. You mentioned a few examples of activities under this program, can you tell us what purpose it serves and provide us with some specifics.

Could you quickly provide me with a few examples? What is the purpose of the program or of some of the activities covered under this budget?

[André Morency, Assistant Deputy Minister, Corporate Services, Transport Canada]

We will be able to provide you with those specifics. These are four programs which have been receiving funding for four or five years. Several projects were identified among those presented. We will be able to provide you with the details.