Transport Committee on June 15th, 2010

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

On a point of order, Mr. Chair, we have ahead of us time set aside, and still the committee--or at least you, Mr. Chair, have referred to the subcommittee.

Can I ask, has the subcommittee met? On two occasions now.... We've had 12 municipalities who have asked to appear here today who have serious issues. The committee has declined to hear from at least six or seven of those who have applied directly to the committee. These are places like Owen Sound and so on. They'd like to come forward. They'd like to be heard from. There are another 15 to 20 municipalities that we'd hear through video conference.

Now, we had some time set aside. We had the possibility of doing a proper job by way of listening to municipalities.

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

A point of order, Mr. Chair.

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

Again, Mr. Chair, I'm asking for an update. You said that you would take it to the subcommittee and you would discuss this.

The motion says that we would hear from “municipalities”; it doesn't say just “municipal associations”. I would say it's absolutely vital, based on what we've heard here today and at the previous session, that we continue to hear from people who are affected.

Mr. Chair, I would ask from you directly if you could indicate what the chair's decision has been and whether you've made that consultation with the subcommittee. I think municipalities out there deserve to hear why the committee isn't hearing from those who have asked to be here.

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

Mr. Watson, on the same point of order.

[Jeff Watson, Conservative, Essex, ON]

Just very briefly, Mr. Chair, obviously that's committee business. Mr. Kennedy has been very clear he's not a member of the committee. I think we, as a committee, can take up that question appropriately. I would ask you to take that approach and, secondly, adjourn the meeting.

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

Thank you.

I will advise the committee that we are having a subcommittee meeting Thursday morning. We'll follow that with a second hour with the full committee, at which time those deliberations will be made. As the chair, I do not make the decisions. We listen to what the subcommittee members suggest, and then we take that to the committee as a whole and make decisions as we move forward.

I suspect this study will continue into the fall, at which time some of those concerns may be addressed.

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

On the same point of order, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

Mr. Jean, is it a new point of order?

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

No, it's the same--

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

It would have to be a new one, because I've already ruled.

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

Mr. Chair, it would be a new one, I guess. Mr. Kennedy has identified himself as not being a member of this committee. I didn't see any change in his behaviour of attendance, so I wasn't sure. But if you look at the way he cited--

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

I have to--

[Bonnie Crombie, Liberal, Mississauga—Streetsville, ON]

A point of order. How is this relevant, in any case? He's an associate member of this committee.

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

It's not a point of order.

Thank you, witnesses, for your time today.

The meeting is adjourned.