Evidence of meeting #9 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 investigation.
Acting Chairman, Transportation Safety Board of Canada
It's not a process that we are running; it's a process of the PCO and PMO.
Acting Chairman, Transportation Safety Board of Canada
Mr. Kinsman has just reminded me that we did not hire a headhunter, nor would we, because it's not our process.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Merv Tweed
I will thank our guests. We appreciate your comments.
We do have other business to attend to, so thank you very much, and thank you for the presentation.
Acting Chairman, Transportation Safety Board of Canada
Thank you very much.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Merv Tweed
We do have a notice of motion on the floor from Mr. Carrier. I'll ask him to comment on it.
At the outset, whether rightly or wrongly, when I saw it this morning on the order paper, I thought it was actually the notice of motion. I have no record in my records of receiving it, but I do want the committee to comment on it. I've checked my electronic records, but I have no record of it, and I don't know if other members had it in advance. As the chair, I don't remember receiving it last week, but I would throw this open to the committee for comments.
Mr. Carrier.
Bloc
Robert Carrier Bloc Alfred-Pellan, QC
As far as I know, the notice of motion was placed in our respective files last week, precisely so that we could examine it today. That was the arrangement I made with the clerk.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Merv Tweed
I wanted to make that comment right from the outset. I have checked with my records and my file. I don't have it, but again I think the committee should have some comment on it.
Mr. Jean.
Conservative
Brian Jean Conservative Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB
Quite frankly, the only issue I have is that I didn't have any notice of it. I didn't receive it last week. I've checked my records as well and couldn't find anything. I would ask that we receive proper notice, so I can have an opportunity at least to discuss it with the minister, since it includes him.
Of course, the other issue is it sets a very dangerous precedent because the committee is asking for some semblance of oversight on regulations. It's not just legislation that we're dealing with as legislators, it's regulations, which quite frankly is usually left to experts to give their opinion. Basically, regulations are based on expert reports, not on legislators' decisions.
Because of its nature and because it's setting a precedent, my understanding from a quick e-mail to the department is this has never been done before.
Liberal
Charles Hubbard Liberal Miramichi, NB
Point of order, Mr. Chair.
I think we're debating, and I'm not sure. Normally this would go to the clerk, who would have submitted it to members. I don't think it's up to a member to give it to other members.
When did the clerk receive the notice of motion?
The Clerk
I'm trying to check with my assistant, but there's no way to reach her. I'll ask her to see what she did.
Liberal
Charles Hubbard Liberal Miramichi, NB
So it is on the table for discussion--is that correct, Mr. Chair?
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Merv Tweed
I put it out there for the simple fact that I do not have a record of receiving this. In fact, when I saw it this morning on the order paper, I thought this was the notice for the next meeting. I'm told that others have received notices, and others haven't. I'm looking for comment from the committee.
Mr. Carrier.
Liberal
Andy Scott Liberal Fredericton, NB
Yes, I received it last week and came prepared to discuss it today.
NDP
Peter Julian NDP Burnaby—New Westminster, BC
I have it. I'm prepared to discuss it, and I support this motion. This is perfectly in keeping with what the transport committee decided last fall—unanimously, it should be underscored. What we're simply doing is reiterating concerns we had last fall. I think Mr. Carrier is putting forward a perfectly legitimate motion, which we should be voting on today.
Conservative
Brian Jean Conservative Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB
I'm wondering if the other members received proper notification of this. Mr. Hubbard, did you receive proper notification?
I didn't, and I think first of all it's flawed.
Secondly, as a side note regarding unanimously, there were at least three members who abstained last time, and this is a precedent.
I want to take a look at this, and I want to talk to the department about it before it's voted on, because quite frankly I didn't have proper notice, and that's what it comes down to.
Bloc
Mario Laframboise Bloc Argenteuil—Papineau—Mirabel, QC
The notice was tabled in accordance with the committee's rules of procedure. You received it. It was tabled here. I have a copy of it. A copy was also placed on your desks. If you didn't bother to pick it up, that's not my problem. The fact remains that it was tabled within the prescribed time frame and in accordance with the committee's rules. I trust that we will discuss it today, Mr. Chairman.
If the parliamentary secretary has a problem with the motion, then he should oppose it. End of story. However, in accordance with our rules, we should discuss it today.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Merv Tweed
I think the only difficulty I have is the fact that I canvassed my colleagues to my right, and none of them received that notice, including myself. I do have a concern with that, as the committee chair. I don't have an electronic notice, which normally we get.
The suggestion is that we defer it until Thursday for a vote, and we can deal with it as the first order of business.
There's been some objection raised that notices haven't been given, and I'm asking the committee for their thoughts.
Mr. Carrier.
