Evidence of meeting #39 for Transport, Infrastructure and Communities in the 39th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was transport.
A recording is available from Parliament.
5:05 p.m.
NDP
Peter Julian NDP Burnaby—New Westminster, BC
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I find the motion to be most appropriate, given what we heard last week. It is important for our committee that we ask Mr. Preuss to come and give us an explanation.
5:10 p.m.
Conservative
Brian Jean Conservative Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I agree with the other member's comments. Any time we hear third-party information that slurs someone's character, it is best to have that person here to defend their own interest and hear it firsthand.
5:10 p.m.
Conservative
February 28th, 2007 / 5:10 p.m.
Liberal
Mauril Bélanger Liberal Ottawa—Vanier, ON
There are a couple of things. First, I want to thank the staff for the documentation we have received on the regulatory and legal underpinnings of the current system. I appreciate that. I was going to mention that we're still waiting for the Transport Canada stuff, both the road map of the amendments and the numbers. If the numbers are there, that's fine; then we're just missing a road map.
Second, Mr. Chairman, I believe we had the International Civil Aviation Organization on our list of potential witnesses. According to our witness today, we're not carrying out audits as frequently as expected under the aviation safety international standards. We heard previously the same thing about the frequency of verification of pilot proficiency. I'm wondering if indeed it would be appropriate for us to invite representatives of the International Civil Aviation Organization to appear before us--or perhaps insist that they do--at some point before we conclude our hearings on Bill C-6.
5:10 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Merv Tweed
Are there any comments?
I don't think it's a bad idea, particularly given Mr. Moshansky's comments. If we're trying to adopt and adjust to those regulations, and he doesn't believe we are, we should obviously ask that question.
Mr. Jean.
5:10 p.m.
Conservative
Brian Jean Conservative Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB
It might be appropriate, especially given that it seems to be that a lot of major industrialized countries are moving towards SMS, and it might even be good to hear their opinion on that as well.
5:10 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Merv Tweed
Would it be reasonable if I were to bring him in as part of a collection of witnesses, as opposed to just as a single meeting?
5:10 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Merv Tweed
I mean as we have been doing, having two or three witnesses to present, and then having the committee question each witness, as opposed to having it be a stand-alone, two-hour meeting.
5:10 p.m.
Liberal
Mauril Bélanger Liberal Ottawa—Vanier, ON
Would it be appropriate for the committee to look at the main estimates that have been tabled in terms of the resources to be allocated to the directorate that concerns us here, or at the entire estimates overall? At some point I presume this committee will want to address them, but within the matter of studying this bill, my sense is that we should have a clear understanding of the estimates and the priorities the department puts out as well. I just wanted to flag that, because I think it might be important for us to know the direction the government intends to take.
Thank you.
5:10 p.m.
Conservative
5:10 p.m.
Bloc
Mario Laframboise Bloc Argenteuil—Papineau—Mirabel, QC
To be precise, we should probably have the minister appear in order to defend his estimates. We could question him on this, among other things. However, if he were to come to talk solely about that... I would like to hear the minister and, if he is going to be here, then we might as well discuss all of the supplementary estimates.
5:10 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Merv Tweed
Mr. Jean.
Everything is okay?
What I might suggest is that we ask the people at the table here to separate that information provided to the members as an information piece, and then we can decide when we come back from the break. As Mr. Laframboise has said, we probably would request that the minister be here.
Mr. Bell.
5:10 p.m.
Liberal
Don Bell Liberal North Vancouver, BC
Thank you.
When we come back from the break, are we going to be picking up on having the witnesses on the rail derailment inquiry?
