Evidence of meeting #17 for Transport, Infrastructure and Communities in the 39th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was transport.
A recording is available from Parliament.
12:45 p.m.
Chair, Advisory Panel for the Railway Safety Act Review, Department of Transport
To the best of our knowledge, there were not any Canadians who came to our attention and made public comments to that effect. I'd be pleased to take it up with you, though, to give you the specifics.
12:45 p.m.
Conservative
Ed Fast Conservative Abbotsford, BC
Just for the record, during our aviation discussions on SMS, it was very clear on the record that reporting increased by 400% to 500% where SMS had been properly implemented and where there was immunity.
My question, however, has to do with the railway operating certificate. I'm curious. You've stated that current operators, the ones that are already operating, would get their rail operating certificate almost as a right, although it could be withdrawn if there were reasons to do so.
Given the fact that most of the problems we've discussed about rail safety involved the current operations of railways, why would you have this kind of grandfathering?
12:50 p.m.
Chair, Advisory Panel for the Railway Safety Act Review, Department of Transport
Why would we have it grandfathered?
12:50 p.m.
Conservative
12:50 p.m.
Chair, Advisory Panel for the Railway Safety Act Review, Department of Transport
I'm sorry, I....
12:50 p.m.
Conservative
Ed Fast Conservative Abbotsford, BC
Well, recommendation 9 talks about a railway having to get a railway operating certificate, but you say existing companies would automatically be issued the ROC. I don't understand why they get it automatically, rather than having to comply first and then receive their certificate.
12:50 p.m.
Chair, Advisory Panel for the Railway Safety Act Review, Department of Transport
Personally, I'm just not convinced that the time and effort that would have to go into an issuance of a railway operating certificate to every short-line railway, plus the two larger ones, would be a productive use of Transport Canada's resources.
12:50 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Merv Tweed
Thank you very much for appearing before us today. I think this committee has a commitment to what your report is titled, and that's a commitment to railway safety. I'm sure there will be other questions. We appreciate your time today, and thank you.
While everybody is moving around, just for the committee, I know at the end of the last meeting we talked a little bit about where we would go after the break. Obviously, I think we want to continue with this. I have a couple of suggestions. I'll put them out there, and then we can have a brief discussion as to where we want to go.
I would think at the first meeting back after the break we would want Transport Canada officials here. I would think perhaps at the second meeting we would want to deal with the rail companies. I had a third meeting proposed at which we would perhaps deal with the labour side of the issue.
So I put that out there. If you want to have a lot of discussion, we can, but if not, then I can certainly advise Maxime where we're going.
Mr. Julian.
12:50 p.m.
NDP
Peter Julian NDP Burnaby—New Westminster, BC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
So you're proposing for Tuesday, April 8, that it would be—
12:50 p.m.
NDP
Peter Julian NDP Burnaby—New Westminster, BC
No, sorry, the third meeting would be with representatives of railway workers.
12:50 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Merv Tweed
Yes, we would certainly send out a feeler to make sure, but I'm thinking at least those three groups should be brought back to our committee.
12:50 p.m.
NDP
Peter Julian NDP Burnaby—New Westminster, BC
Absolutely. I'll get in touch with Mr. Masse's office. We'll certainly be submitting a list of proposed witnesses.
12:50 p.m.
Conservative
12:50 p.m.
Conservative
Brian Jean Conservative Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB
Mr. Chair, just after comments made by Mr. Julian, I'm wondering if we have unanimous consent to ask the government to bring back Bill C-7 and to move it forward at all stages through the House.
12:50 p.m.
An hon. member
Excellent idea.
12:50 p.m.
Conservative
Brian Jean Conservative Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB
You seemed to indicate that it was the government that was holding it back. So is it indeed the position of the NDP that you're prepared to stop filibustering—
12:50 p.m.
An hon. member
It was your hoist motion.
12:50 p.m.
Conservative
12:50 p.m.
An hon. member
It was your personal hoist motion—
12:50 p.m.
Conservative