Evidence of meeting #42 for Transport, Infrastructure and Communities in the 40th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was chair.
A recording is available from Parliament.
3:40 p.m.
Bloc
Richard Nadeau Bloc Gatineau, QC
Mr. Chair, I want to say that we still support the proposed amendment, especially since it is essential for the various stakeholders, who are already very involved. I am talking about people at all levels of the National Capital Commission, on both sides of the river, people in Chelsea, Wakefield and Pontiac. They have always taken a keen interest in the area's development and improvement. Furthermore, by conducting this study, the Conservatives have recognized that it was time to put an end to the lack of transparency that was rampant in the past, when too many things were done behind closed doors. Right now, we cannot get more transparent. So, in that respect, we are very satisfied, and we support the proposed amendment.
3:45 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Merv Tweed
Merci.
(Subamendment negatived)
(Amendment negatived)
Now we're going to amendment LIB-4.
Monsieur Proulx.
3:45 p.m.
Liberal
Marcel Proulx Liberal Hull—Aylmer, QC
Amendment LIB-4 is fairly simple, Mr. Chair. We don't think it should be only decided by the Governor in Council. We feel that once every ten years is not exaggerated to ask each of the Houses of Parliament to approve the master plan. This is, after all, the national capital. Therefore, we are submitting this amendment.
It says very clearly, “the Commission shall lay before each House of Parliament, for approval,” meaning debate, the whole shebang, “a master plan”. It's very straightforward.
3:45 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Merv Tweed
Thank you.
I will just advise the committee again that if amendment LIB-4 is adopted, it would apply to amendment LIB-5 and amendment G-6 could not be proposed.
Mr. Jean.
3:45 p.m.
Conservative
Brian Jean Conservative Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB
Mr. Chair, the government thinks the proposal by Mr. Proulx is excellent. That's why we're going to be voting against it but included it in amendment G-6.
3:45 p.m.
Liberal
Joe Volpe Liberal Eglinton—Lawrence, ON
I prefer to have a bird in the hand rather than two in the bush, so I think it's important for us to reiterate the fact that a decision every ten years on the national capital region ought to be debated in the House of Commons and in the Senate of Canada in order to get a sense of what the master plan would be. I don't think it's all that onerous to turn around and say yes, we accept that, in this. There's no need for it to go into another amendment. I think this is the one that we should support.
3:45 p.m.
Liberal
Mauril Bélanger Liberal Ottawa—Vanier, ON
Mr. Chair, given the comments of Mr. Jean a moment ago, is there paper? Does he care to put what he just said on paper?
3:45 p.m.
Conservative
Brian Jean Conservative Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB
You're absolutely right, Mr. Bélanger. It doesn't. I misread that.
3:45 p.m.
Liberal
Mauril Bélanger Liberal Ottawa—Vanier, ON
My question, Mr. Chairman, is that Mr. Jean said you would incorporate LIB-4--
3:45 p.m.
Conservative
Brian Jean Conservative Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB
I didn't say that. I said it would exclude G-6 if your amendment is taken.
3:45 p.m.
Liberal
Mauril Bélanger Liberal Ottawa—Vanier, ON
Mr. Chair, a moment ago Mr. Jean asked to speak and he said that the government is going to vote against LIB-4 because it would include it in G-6. That's what he said.
3:45 p.m.
Conservative
3:50 p.m.
Liberal
Mauril Bélanger Liberal Ottawa—Vanier, ON
If that's the case, can I see that on paper? That's not the way I read G-6 currently.
3:50 p.m.
Conservative
Brian Jean Conservative Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB
I'm so glad Mr. Bélanger pointed that out before we had the vote. I would have felt that I had deceived him, and I don't want him to feel that way. Absolutely, he is correct. I was wrong in what I suggested. It's not for approval.
It is actually G-6 that we do not want to see excluded. We'll be voting for the wording in G-6 and we will be voting against your amendment.
3:50 p.m.
Conservative
3:50 p.m.
Conservative
Brian Jean Conservative Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB
It is, right. That's what Mr. Bélanger pointed out.
