Transport Committee on Dec. 7th, 2009

[Mauril Bélanger, Liberal, Ottawa—Vanier, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

All right.

Monsieur Proulx.

[Marcel Proulx, Liberal, Hull—Aylmer, QC]

Is there an opportunity for Mr. Jean to amend the amendment so that instead of an extra member, a 15th member, it could be specified in the bill that there is a casting vote for the chair? That would solve the problem of the 15...

[Mauril Bélanger, Liberal, Ottawa—Vanier, ON]

[Inaudible--Editor]

[Marcel Proulx, Liberal, Hull—Aylmer, QC]

That's right.

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

I would think if it's already in the bylaws--

[Marcel Proulx, Liberal, Hull—Aylmer, QC]

Yes, but Mr. Chair, the bylaws can be modified as it pleases the board. We don't want that.

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

Mr. Jean.

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

I just don't understand the logic. If two people don't show up, they still don't have everybody showing up, and if it's in the bylaws, it's already in the bylaws. I don't really understand what difference it makes, but if--

[Mauril Bélanger, Liberal, Ottawa—Vanier, ON]

The logic is quite straightforward. We tend to agree on this side with the notion of a preponderant vote for the chair, and if it's in the bylaws, then it stands to reason it could be in the law; therefore it remains in the law forever and the bylaws can't change that, so that in any situation, whether there are eight of them voting, twelve of them voting, six of them voting--although that might not be a quorum, so let's say eight or twelve or ten--as long as the chair has the preponderant vote, the matter is determined.

So that's fine and that works.

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

Mr. Chair, I'm wondering if this particular amendment could be put to the end. We could deal with it prior to the title, of course. We could get an amendment together that would reflect it appropriately, and then we can come to some sort of compromise on that. Would that be acceptable?

[Marcel Proulx, Liberal, Hull—Aylmer, QC]

Sure.

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

Maybe the clerk could advise us if it would affect any other thing as we go through.

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

Mr. Bevington.

[Dennis Bevington, NDP, Western Arctic, NT]

I think the amendment as proposed by the Liberals is not really worth anything. If we want to vote it down, then that's what's going to happen. The NCC has the ability to set its voting pattern with its bylaws. That's simple enough.

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

Okay. Shall amendment L-1 carry?

(Amendment negatived [See Minutes of Proceedings])

BQ-1.1.

Monsieur Nadeau.

[Richard Nadeau, Bloc, Gatineau, QC]

Mr. Chairman, in the same letter referred to earlier written by Mr. Pelletier, dated October 16, he refers to minority representation for Quebec compared to Ontario on the board of the National Capital Commission.

So, the amendment was intended to ensure there was an equal number of board members from Quebec and from Ontario.

The fact that board members from Quebec would represent a minority compared to Ontario can absolutely not be justified given the effect that decisions made by the board would have an effect on the Outaouais region.

Consequently, we are asking for fairer representation.

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

Are there comments?

Mr. Jean.

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

I'm just wondering if they could answer how many representatives have to be from Alberta. Are there any who have to be from Alberta or any other province besides Quebec and Ontario?

[Simon Dubé]

No. For the NCR, it's only Ontario and Quebec. For the rest, there's a number, eight people, who come from any region in Canada.

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

Can you advise us how many are actually from Quebec now who sit on the board?

[Simon Dubé]

Currently there are five people who are Quebec residents.

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

And how many are from Ontario currently?

[Simon Dubé]

There would be three from the NCR, plus two, so there would be five.

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

Can you advise us how these people are chosen and by whom they are chosen?