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.
1:55 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Merv Tweed
I'm going to recess until after question period so that we can get the opinions of the clerks. Legal counsel has suggested that they will stay here, and if we have any questions on the rest of the bill, we'll try to answer them as directly as we can.
When we reconvene after question period we will be meeting right here, and I would suggest that we will commence promptly at 3:30.
Monsieur Gaudet.
2 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Merv Tweed
If 3:30 accommodates everybody, that's the time I would set.
Mr. Volpe.
2 p.m.
Liberal
Joe Volpe Liberal Eglinton—Lawrence, ON
I just wonder whether the parliamentary secretary, in his request to you, to which you have acceded, is also prepared to make a commitment to the committee members that he is not going to come up with any new amendments that reflect the same vocabulary as previous amendments already dealt with. We just want to know what we're dealing with when we come back.
2 p.m.
Conservative
Brian Jean Conservative Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB
I can assure the member that I will do everything possible to make sure that this bill is an excellent bill when it leaves this committee.
2 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Merv Tweed
Thank you, and with that, if anyone has questions, our counsel is here to give advice, so I would encourage you....
The meeting is suspended.
3:30 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Merv Tweed
Welcome back, everyone. When we were last here we had just completed a new clause. We are now moving to clause 2.
(On clause 2—Definitions)
3:30 p.m.
Liberal
Joe Volpe Liberal Eglinton—Lawrence, ON
I want everybody to get into the habit of the ambience we left off with.
3:30 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Merv Tweed
Thank you for that. It startled me, so it's working.
There were two government amendments. I understand the government has a new amendment to replace perhaps amendments G-1 and G-2.
Mr. Jean.
3:30 p.m.
Conservative
Brian Jean Conservative Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB
Could we have a point of order from Mr. Volpe, just to distract everyone away from the fact that they're not ready yet?
3:30 p.m.
Liberal
3:30 p.m.
Conservative
Brian Jean Conservative Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB
Exactly.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I seem to have had a little problem finding amendments G-1 and G-2. But I've come across them now.
First of all, Mr. Chair, what I would like to do, in relation to clause 2...and I have to read it into the record because I have it in English only. It is moved that clause 2 be amended by adding at the end of line 10 on page 2 the following:
and directed as such by the Minister to form a legal entity in order to properly manage the functions and ensure good governance and accountability of said Council.
3:30 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Merv Tweed
Mr. Jean, do you have that? Could I have it in English just so...?
3:30 p.m.
Conservative
3:30 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Merv Tweed
That's fine.
I'm just going to turn off my mike for a minute and get some counsel here.
3:35 p.m.
Conservative
Brian Jean Conservative Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB
Mr. Chair, in terms of amendments G-1 and G-2, which all the members have had for some time, it needs to be read in with that particular amendment. Amendment G-1 deals with the council. Amendment G-2 deals with deleting lines 15 to 17 on page 2, which I think has to do with the lands.... I apologize, it is the public land. We've already identified that as the NCC, so it's just deleting that. In terms of the other one, which is amendment G-2, I would table it, as well as amendment G-1, both at the same time.
3:35 p.m.
Liberal
3:35 p.m.
Conservative
3:35 p.m.
Liberal
Joe Volpe Liberal Eglinton—Lawrence, ON
On page 2 of the bill, as I read it, 15 to 17 says:
“public land” means an area of land owned by the Crown that is accessible to the public at all times.
3:35 p.m.
Conservative
Brian Jean Conservative Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB
Yes, and I am fully prepared, from the government's perspective, to look at an amendment on that. We have already identified that we want it to be in the NCC. So possibly “public land” means an area of land owned within the National Capital Commission.
3:35 p.m.
Liberal
Joe Volpe Liberal Eglinton—Lawrence, ON
That is not necessary, because it is public land. It is an area of land owned by the Crown that is accessible to the public at all times. What matters are the words “accessible” and “at all times”.
So it's got to be accessible at all times. Why would you want to delete that from anything?
