Transport Committee on Feb. 3rd, 2009

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

I just want to mention, Mr. Bevington, that if it is a notice of motion, I would like to receive the substantive parts of that motion so that we know exactly what it is. Actually, the requirement is to receive the contents of the motion as well.

I would like to advise you, too, that if it's something we can do as a department or I can as a parliamentary secretary, or that the government can provide you with outside of that, we'd be happy to start researching it and provide it to you as soon as possible, if it is of such a nature that you would like some information. But I would like the substantive part of the motion so that we know what it is.

[Dennis Bevington, NDP, Western Arctic, NT]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

Just for the record, that motion will come directly to the clerk and be distributed through this office.

Monsieur Laframboise.

[Mario Laframboise, Bloc, Argenteuil—Papineau—Mirabel, QC]

I see that Mr. Jean is reaching out to us. I'd like to move a motion. NAV CANADA had undertaken to visit communities to discuss once again its coast-to-coast service. This involves the most remote communities. We have a great many concerns about the situation of some communities in Quebec. If NAV CANADA no longer offers air ambulance service in certain airports, some air ambulances will no longer be able to provide service in remote areas. Therefore, I'd like to move a motion calling on the parliamentary secretary to look into this matter. I think we need to invite some NAV CANADA officials to a meeting to, at the very least, explain the substance of the cross-country talks they are holding. No decision has been made, but before they make any bad ones, we should get an overall picture of the situation.

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

I think we could probably finalize that at the subcommittee and actually slot it in as part of our agenda to meet with him.

[Mario Laframboise, Bloc, Argenteuil—Papineau—Mirabel, QC]

Perfect.

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

I have a very similar situation, so I'm very aware of that, as I think Mr. Jean is, too.

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

I'll start the research on that immediately and talk to the department on that.

[Joe Volpe, Liberal, Eglinton—Lawrence, ON]

Could we get our researchers to provide us with a briefing before we actually do meet?

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

Welcome.

[John Christopher, Committee Researcher]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

I don't know if everyone is familiar with him, but John Christopher has been with our transport committee since I have been here—and I think probably a few days before that. He certainly provides us with great information.

Allison Padova is also joining us at the table. She is back from leave and is now a proud mother. We're all very pleased to see her back.

I will ask John this. Obviously, he heard some of the discussion. Perhaps we could ask you to circulate just an overview of Nav Canada's current review of those services. Perhaps we could have that made available through the clerk and then have it distributed to the members.

[John Christopher]

Sure.

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

Are there no other comments?

All right, seeing there are none, thank you for attending. I encourage you all to put your hats on and to help us work out the agenda for the next few months.

We will meet again as a subcommittee on Tuesday, February 10, at 3:30 in this building.

Mr. Volpe.

[Joe Volpe, Liberal, Eglinton—Lawrence, ON]

I know it's not my place, Mr. Chairman, but I wanted to join you in welcoming all the new members and the other members who are returning—I didn't want to refer to this chronologically.

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

Ah, oui.

[Joe Volpe, Liberal, Eglinton—Lawrence, ON]

I hope we find the same spirit of aggressive debate that was in no short supply last time.

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

I'm sure we will.

Thank you all.

The meeting is adjourned.