Transport Committee on Feb. 10th, 2009

[Gerard Kennedy, Liberal, Parkdale—High Park, ON]

I want to register for the record, Mr. Chair, that I'm not happy with the level of discussion. I guess there is a larger arrangement afoot in terms of different ministers and so on, but this has a particular relevance to the budget going forward and so on. In no way am I satisfied that the allocation asked for has been adequately explained today.

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

The record will show that.

Mr. Dhaliwal.

[Sukh Dhaliwal, Liberal, Newton—North Delta, BC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I would like to register my concerns about this as well, particularly if I look at the Asia-Pacific gateway. Indeed, we can see that Canada's economic future lies in Asia, and infrastructure is a key.

If I look at the numbers from 2005 in the Liberal budget, I note that $211 million was committed to the Asia-Pacific gateway. If I look at the 2006 budget, I see that only $91 million was committed, and in budget 2007, $108 million was committed. Budget 2008 does not show any numbers. The number is zero for that important project, and the future of Canada's economy lies in that. According to the records, there's only $47 million. This has to be clarified.

Also, as we look at this, we see that the minister is trying to flow the pine beetle numbers through the Asia-Pacific gateway as well. It should be one or the other. Those issues have to be clarified and dealt with. I'm not personally satisfied with the way it's put together. We have a parliamentary secretary sitting here. Maybe he can address those issues if the minister is not here.

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

I am going to go to Monsieur Laframboise.

I would say that the experience of this committee has been that if you were to actually put that in writing to the parliamentary secretary, I think you'd find that he's been very cooperative in finding the information the members want.

Monsieur Laframboise.

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

You know, colleagues, I enjoy sitting on this committee very much. We have some new Liberal colleagues, which I also am happy about. The fact remains that we are going to support the supplementary estimates which are always the object of a confidence vote. I can imagine that the Liberals will want to topple the government on the supplementary estimates. However, if you wish to propose the adoption of the estimates, we are going to support you wholeheartedly. We can proceed to the vote today, if you wish.

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

Are there any other comments?

Mr. Volpe.

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

I think we could probably satisfy the request from my colleagues by having some of the officials here in order to go through the details we have raised today. Perhaps in that instance, whether they're here or not, the parliamentary secretary can address some of those questions. I think that would satisfy everybody around the table.

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

Mr. Jean.

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

Absolutely. As the chair has mentioned, we would be happy to forward any questions to the department on any particular issue that you have issues with, but after today, we're done with these. If you want to deal with the supplementary estimates on what's being spent and why it hasn't been, I can put that forward to the department and the minister's office. I'm sure they would be happy to answer.

Obviously these are quite lengthy, but the reality is that after today they are done anyway. If we're going to have a vote, let's deal with that. This side will abstain and you can deal with it accordingly--no, I'm just kidding.

If you want to deal with it, let's deal with it. If you have questions, forward them to me. As I've mentioned to all members here, I'm happy to answer anything I possibly can. I'll work to make sure I answer them before you have an issue, not afterwards.

I've mentioned that to you, Mr. Kennedy. As well, Mr. Volpe and I have been working together for years, and he knows that on anything he asks me, I get back to him very quickly. Mr. Laframboise knows that as well.

[Gerard Kennedy, Liberal, Parkdale—High Park, ON]

With all respect, Mr. Chair,

As the member said, I am new on the committee and I hope that we will share the following idea.

It's real work we're trying to do on behalf of the people. Infrastructure finds itself in a special circumstance. It's been asked to be entrusted with more dollars than it's ever had--by a multiple--and I assume the interest is just as genuine on the other side of the committee. We're not going to get that work done in these supplementary estimates. I assume we're going to have another chance at that.

I would ask this of the parliamentary secretary. We've been trying to get the second part of our briefing, which was cut to 45 minutes, for the last four days. As a gesture of goodwill, I'd like to see that briefing scheduled soon so we can do our part of this obligation in terms of basic information being made available in a timely manner.

I guess I would just register this, Mr. Chair. Knowing the minister of infrastructure from the past, I think he would accept the obligation. It's his job to explain what happens or doesn't happen. Paper being shuffled back and forth doesn't do that.

When it comes to the main estimates or moving forward, we'll need to have a chance to look at that, but I am interested in getting the basic information from the ministry. I know it's busy. We don't want to delay what has to get done, but there are some very relevant things we'd like to find out.

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

Mr. Jean.

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

Absolutely, I agree 100%. I think you noticed that the minister asked for your suggestions in relation to speeding up infrastructure in relation to particular items. Again, we would ask for your suggestions. I would like to reinforce that. We're looking for suggestions. The minister is open to that.

We've talked about several different options we could put in place to speed up infrastructure investments across the country. If you have some ideas, please...or if you want to meet with me, I'd be happy to, if you don't like shuffling paper. I did that for so many years, as a lawyer, and it seemed to work quite well there. But if you want to meet in my office, I'd be happy to. And if there is any kind of briefing you want, I'd be happy to be at that as well. In fact I would encourage that.

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

Mr. Kennedy.

[Gerard Kennedy, Liberal, Parkdale—High Park, ON]

There may be enticements to come and visit, but I think the basic thing is real accountability. With all respect, you're helping with that, but there is somebody else who bears that responsibility.

We cannot make suggestions in good faith until we know what's broken. You offered $9 billion to the Canadian people, and you've given them...we don't even know what. The minister is a few weeks away from the end of the year and he can't even tell us how much money he's going to get out the door. I think that's highly problematic. It's confidence-busting. I would strongly suggest that this get addressed in order for us to be constructive in solving the problems.

In getting that basic information, I assure you I will have lots of suggestions for the ministry on how to improve.

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

Great.

Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

Mr. Volpe.

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

I think you'll all agree that Mr. Kennedy made some excellent points. And Mr. Jean's desire to address them will probably be resolved in our steering committee meeting, which I think is on Thursday. We can itemize some of those issues so we can get back on track and do what we need to do.

I accept Mr. Jean's suggestions as an indication that he really does want to comply with some of the requests that have been made by members on this side. The only issue here is whether we, in the steering committee, can do that expeditiously.

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

Monsieur Laframboise.

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

If during the discussion of future business the committee decides to discuss this, to hold meetings specifically on infrastructure and to have officials here, I would be entirely in agreement with that. I have a problem with holding this debate during the study of the supplementary estimates, but I have no objection at all to talking about this in a separate discussion.

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

Okay. Well, I see no other comments around the table. These will be reported tomorrow at five o'clock.

I thank the committee for their indulgence today.

The meeting is adjourned.