Evidence of meeting #21 for Transport, Infrastructure and Communities in the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was amendment.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
Conservative
Liberal
Joe Volpe Liberal Eglinton—Lawrence, ON
Get all the monks in the monastery to try to rewrite this thing.
Conservative
Brian Jean Conservative Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB
Are we done with that order of business? Before we finish up on this, I would like to bring a point of order up, if we're all done.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Merv Tweed
We are done, and we do have one order of business on the agenda.
Mr. Jean.
Conservative
Brian Jean Conservative Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB
Mr. Chair, in my research I came across a Canadian saying, 65 years ago, that none is too many, in reference to the Holocaust. I was so ashamed to find that a Canadian said that, and I am obviously moved by this whole issue.
In studying our history, I'm ashamed as a Canadian of that one part, that they would refuse people, refugees, from the Holocaust and say that none is too many.
I want to put it on the record today that those are not my words. Canada missed a real opportunity there, and the words should have been “Canada wants them all.”
Liberal
Joe Volpe Liberal Eglinton—Lawrence, ON
Fine sentiments, Mr. Chair, and those are the ones that have actually motivated the Liberal Party to ensure that it is all Canadians who support this monument, and that the monument is a reflection, on its merits, of the values of Canadians today, perhaps in part because we regret that these values weren't as prevalent 65 years ago or earlier.
This isn't an issue with which one ought to play politics or try to spin an advantage. None of us would for a moment think that a monument to the Holocaust to reflect on all the evils that were perpetrated against a very vulnerable community of humanity would be swayed by any political thinking. For us, it's the Government of Canada speaking for the people of Canada and doing something that all Canadians want. That's why we insisted all along on some of the amendments and took the positions on other amendments that needed to reflect that. It was important for us, and we know that everybody else agrees.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Merv Tweed
Thank you.
I'm pleased to report that the bill is finished.
Mr. Bevington has brought a motion and has given notice. I know we are a little bit time-crunched, but, Mr. Bevington, you have the floor.
NDP
Dennis Bevington NDP Western Arctic, NT
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
This motion speaks to a very important issue that is in front of the House right now in terms of a unanimous motion that was passed in Parliament last week. It directly speaks to the issue in front of the transport committee, because transport has the responsibility for oil spill response planning.
My motion is:
That the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities engage in a study of the federal government's oil spill response planning and capacity, with particular interest in response to spills caused by off-shore drilling along all three coasts, and report the results of the study and make recommendations to the House of Commons.
Conservative
Brian Jean Conservative Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB
My only comment would be, bluntly, that I haven't had time to do a lot of research on this matter. I'm wondering whether we could postpone the vote by the committee until the next meeting, simply so that I could do some research to ascertain whether this is the proper place for this study. I've noticed that in question period, for instance, it's the Minister of Natural Resources who's answering these questions. I'm wondering if that wouldn't be more appropriate, or even the environment committee.
I'm not saying we're going to vote against it, Mr. Bevington; I'm suggesting that we put it off until the next meeting so that we can ascertain whether it would be more appropriate for us to study it or for another committee to study it. That's my only issue.
NDP
Dennis Bevington NDP Western Arctic, NT
Could I answer that question? It's up on your Transport Canada website, for instance.
I think that's one of the problems we have within Parliament right now. It was in evidence again today in question period, when the natural resources minister, rather than speaking to oil spills, was talking about regulations on drilling. I think we need to clarify who's actually responsible for planning and implementation of oil spill response teams, and it's Transport Canada.
That's the problem we're having right now in Parliament. It's the confusion that has been created. This certainly will make sure that Transport Canada is the recognized authority for what it's responsible to do.