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.
Mario Laframboise Bloc Argenteuil—Papineau—Mirabel, QC
I have a problem with something. I sent the motion to my leader's office. It is not at all clear that it is the responsibility of the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. I was told to ask Mr. Bevington why he was submitting that to our committee. If the reason is that you saw it on the Web site, the leader's office will be a hard sell. It has to do with drilling. So it is really more of an issue for the Standing Committee on Natural Resources. If it involved transportation by oil tanker, we could always study the issue. I know the Standing Committee on Natural Resources has tried to move motions and has held discussions on the matter. I do not want us to be divided on that, here.
I will relay your explanation to the leader's office and let you know what they say.
NDP
Dennis Bevington NDP Western Arctic, NT
Quite frankly, drilling and the regulations surrounding what companies do in the water when exploring for oil are under Natural Resources Canada, but oil spills and responses to them can occur in many fashions from many sources. They may not be part of drilling; they may be part of other activities that come under Transport Canada. It's Transport Canada that has responsibility for ensuring that preparedness for oil spills is there in the water, not Natural Resources Canada. I think that's what we really want to clarify here, otherwise we're not going to be able to move forward in a good fashion with this.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Merv Tweed
I'm obligated at the ringing of the bells to shut down the committee. I've allowed three parties. I'm going to ask Mr. Volpe to speak, and then I'm going to defer the vote until the start of the next meeting.
Mr. Volpe.
Liberal
Joe Volpe Liberal Eglinton—Lawrence, ON
Thank you very much.
I think Mr. Bevington is, in principle, onto something correct. It would make it easier for all of us to determine how well our committee can do this if we moved this over to our steering committee. The only encumbrance I see is whether we can fit it into our schedule before the House rises. I think we should examine every opportunity to do that without dismissing the motion. We can't do it justice in this next minute or two, and I'm wondering if Mr. Bevington and the government side will accept moving it into our next meeting of the steering committee to deal with it and establish a timeframe for it.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Merv Tweed
We could have the vote on it on Tuesday or bring it to the steering committee.
Liberal
Sukh Dhaliwal Liberal Newton—North Delta, BC
Why can't we have the vote now and then let the steering committee decide later on?
NDP
Dennis Bevington NDP Western Arctic, NT
I hear that the members want to examine this for themselves. I would be comfortable with having the vote on Tuesday.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Merv Tweed
I'll table it until Tuesday then, and we'll have our information back to us.
Thank you, everyone.
The meeting is adjourned.