Transport Committee on June 10th, 2010

[Gerard Kennedy, Liberal, Parkdale—High Park, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I had a chance in the interval since the last meeting to look at the motion that was passed that supports these hearings. I see in the motion it does not indicate that we exclude individual municipalities. I'm just again appealing to the chair that there are several municipalities, some of whom feel quite strongly and would pay their own way to come here, and others who would we would hear by video testimony.... From the testimony that we've heard today, I think we can accept on the face of it that we have a serious problem. Can we not allow individual municipalities that wish to be here to either come.... And we have them from each province, from Alberta, British Columbia, Quebec. Could they not be allowed to be considered as witnesses? Up to now, they have been denied, and I think it's simply unfair and ineffective for us not to allow them to be heard. It's disrespectful.

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

Mr. Jean, on the same point of order.

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

First of all, Mr. Chair, I've read the press release--which unfortunately no newspaper has taken up--that Mr. Kennedy put out criticizing parts of this committee for blocking communities. I just find it, first of all, preposterous and totally incorrect. It's not correct, and it has nothing to do with this.

The steering committee can certainly deal with this issue if Mr. Kennedy wishes, as it does with all of the issues. And the opposition has a majority on it. I think that's the appropriate place to put it on. If Mr. Kennedy actually showed up at more meetings, he would know that is the process we'd go through.

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

I will raise it with the steering committee, and I have to go to Mr. Watson on a point of order.

[Jeff Watson, Conservative, Essex, ON]

It's a different one, very briefly.

I've been recognized. Thank you, Mr. Kennedy. I raised a point of order and have been recognized.

[Gerard Kennedy, Liberal, Parkdale—High Park, ON]

On the same point of order, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

I've ruled on the point of order, and I have now moved on to Mr. Watson.

[Jeff Watson, Conservative, Essex, ON]

Thank you.

[Gerard Kennedy, Liberal, Parkdale—High Park, ON]

What was the ruling, Mr. Chair?

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

The ruling was that I would deal with it with the subcommittee, and I stated that very clearly.

Mr. Watson.

[Jeff Watson, Conservative, Essex, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Very briefly, in a question that Mr. Kennedy raised he asked for information that would be pertinent to our deliberations. He used the voice “our deliberations” as if this was his committee. I just want the record to show that he's not a member of the committee.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

Thank you.

The meeting is adjourned.