Transport Committee on June 13th, 2006

[Brian Jean, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB]

My understanding of the proper notice is that it's not just giving notice to the clerk; it's giving notice to the committee members.

I don't know. Mr. Fast said he has a copy in his file, but he doesn't recollect anything in relation to the motion itself. If it was passed around, I would suggest it was circulated to some members. I do not have it in my file, and, as you can see, I have a fairly detailed one.

It's not only to provide it to the clerk. The clerk is under an obligation to give 48 hours' notice of any motion to the members. It's got nothing to do with the clerk. The deficiency that I find is the membership.

It's not whether or not Mr. Carrier did something right or wrong; it's whether or not it went from there to proper notice. It didn't have proper notice.

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

Mr. Julian.

[Peter Julian, NDP, Burnaby—New Westminster, BC]

Mr. Chair, the motion has been deposited, it's been moved and seconded. I call the vote.

[Brian Jean, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB]

I'm asking for a ruling from the chair first.

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

I'm advised I can't rule it out of order, according to the members of the committee who have acknowledged they've received it. I have asked the committee to consider deferring it till Thursday, and they have said no.

[Brian Jean, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB]

Do we still vote on that, Mr. Chair?

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

It doesn't have to come as a vote. It was asked of the person who presented it.

With that, I will call the question. The motion has been made.

[Ed Fast, Conservative, Abbotsford, BC]

What is the motion? I understood it was to defer it for two days. That was the initial one we talked about.

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

The motion basically states that the committee ask the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities to ensure that officials of the transport department will notify—

[Ed Fast, Conservative, Abbotsford, BC]

That's fine, Mr. Chair. As long as I understand what you mean.

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

Okay.

(Motion agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])

[Peter Julian, NDP, Burnaby—New Westminster, BC]

Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

Mr. Julian.

[Peter Julian, NDP, Burnaby—New Westminster, BC]

I have a final item of business. I submitted about 14 witnesses to deal with the issues of air transport safety, marine safety, and rail safety. I'd like to know which witnesses are coming forward on Thursday.

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

We are bringing in department people with regard to safety and security. I don't believe that bill is at a point where we will be calling witnesses. Am I correct?

We don't have any bill before us.

[Peter Julian, NDP, Burnaby—New Westminster, BC]

No, no, no, but the issue we decided to tackle, as a committee, was that we would deal with marine safety, air safety, rail safety. We supplied witnesses to the clerk, and not a single one of the witnesses we've passed on has yet been called and contacted by the clerk.

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

This was the first presentation we've had on this issue. On Thursday we have government officials, then we will be notifying people as to available times. We're going to continue with this discussion until we've heard from them.

[Peter Julian, NDP, Burnaby—New Westminster, BC]

Next week, both Tuesday and Thursday, we will have the witnesses that we have—

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

I believe so, unless something comes forward in the interim. But I don't see that happening at this point.

[Peter Julian, NDP, Burnaby—New Westminster, BC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

Okay.

The meeting is adjourned.