Mr. Chair, I did have an opportunity to get some research done by the department. It wasn't in both official languages and I'm undertaking to get that done so we can circulate it to the committee. I will advise that I did give a copy to Mr. Volpe, because it was from the department and it dealt specifically with his motion.
I do want to say this. I think it's a good motion, but we should put it after we've heard these other investigations that are under way, especially because it's provincial jurisdiction, first of all. I want to make that very clear. We have the ability to do blanket studies, but the reality is Canadian legislation does not allow the imposition of a selective ban like that. Provinces and territories have the authority over road use.
Saying that, our understanding on a preliminary basis from Dr. Frank Wilson--and this is in the report--is that what happened in this particular case was the van went sideways, sliding on the road. If it had electronic stability control, which is going to be mandatory in a bit of time here in Canada, then the accident wouldn't have happened. In fact, it happened so quickly there wasn't even time to put on the brakes.
It wasn't a situation where the van flipped. It was a situation where there was just no time. It slid sideways and the truck hit it square-on and that's why it was such a mess. It would've happened to just about any vehicle.
Notwithstanding that, I would suggest that what we should do is put this off until such time as a provincial study's been done. I think the RCMP are doing an investigation. After that's been done, it would make more sense, I think, simply because it's not our jurisdiction in the first place. I will by that time have a copy of this in French so that I can circulate it to all the members so they can see the preliminary issues of the study. As I say, it's about five pages long, so it has some good information on it.