Transport Committee on May 30th, 2006

[Phil Benson]

I think that's perfectly correct, and also, to laud Transport Canada, they kind of consult us to death. We're in all sorts of consultations on all sorts of things.

We recognize that sometimes bills like this appear. They're a renewal of a past bill. It's just that as we move forward, the devil in this bill seems to be in the details, which a lot of the other people are saying, and we just want to make sure that of course we would be there to represent our interests and also, using our knowledge, the general public's interests as well.

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

Mr. Masse.

[Brian Masse, NDP, Windsor West, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

With regard to your members and the standards that this bill actually creates in terms of having some best practices and uniformity across all the border crossings, is that a net benefit to the members you represent, and is that a greater amount of accountability that will be a benefit to you and your members?

[Phil Benson]

Thank you for your question.

I think the devil is in the implementation. As you know, as with most acts, we have statutory enactments and then we have the regulatory background. Obviously, how we do security, how we do health and safety; is it going to be similar to the SMES and SMS and FRMS systems; how is it going to be approached, and how is it going to be done? The devil is in the detail and it's something we'll have to look at very closely, and also, as you understand, the difference between various employers and collective agreements and the impact on those. Until we have those details, it's pretty hard for us to make an assessment.

[Brian Masse, NDP, Windsor West, ON]

So you need more on the regulation aspect to get to the details. But if they were applied generally, would having the same standards for your members across the country be a benefit?

[Phil Benson]

Generally, the best practices, if they're applied as widely as possible, are a good achievement for working people.

[Brian Masse, NDP, Windsor West, ON]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

Mr. Fast.

[Ed Fast, Conservative, Abbotsford, BC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you for coming, Mr. Benson.

[Phil Benson]

Thank you for having me.

[Ed Fast, Conservative, Abbotsford, BC]

Your comments were brief enough that I have to conclude that you're supportive of, first of all, splitting the bill--

[Phil Benson]

Absolutely.

[Ed Fast, Conservative, Abbotsford, BC]

--and secondly, you're supportive fundamentally of this particular bill. Is that correct?

[Phil Benson]

In general, yes. The splitting of the bill was very appreciated. If you look at the other two bills, they are not exact. We have our airline division, our railway conference, and when we move on to others, freight and tank haul, or whatever, it makes it very difficult to come before the House of Commons to make any cogent discussions or arguments, which do we pick and which do we not?

Also, in looking at the bill, our general viewpoint in examining it was that, perhaps more than for other people--let's say, other unions and other groups--the 9/11 world has had a huge impact and continues to have a huge impact on our membership, on the members' ability to work, but also to make sure those vegetables show up in the winter and all those other things that happen. We view this as perhaps one of those required features that has to move forward to continue the assurance that the borders are open.

With that regard, again, the devil is in the detail. As we move forward to the regulatory part, I'm sure we may have other comments.

[Ed Fast, Conservative, Abbotsford, BC]

You're asking to be consulted during the implementation of the bill?

[Phil Benson]

Absolutely.

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

Is there anything else?

Thank you, Mr. Benson.

[Phil Benson]

Thank you very much for having me in front of you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

I appreciate your attendance.

Are there any other comments?

If not, the committee will meet again on Thursday at 11 o'clock with the minister.

The meeting is adjourned.