Transport Committee on Oct. 26th, 2010

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

I was just going to ask, if indeed Ms. Crombie would be interested in this, about leaving G-1 as the government proposal for providing for a reduced rate and then having a different section that invites Parliament to come back every 10 years to review the legislation. I mean, they can hear our discussions. We're interested in them reviewing it in relation to the definition and whether or not the rate should continue. But if we leave it that way, it doesn't give Canada Post any legal room to increase rates after any fixed period of time and Parliament still has exactly what Ms. Crombie wants, which is the review after 10 years. I'm just suggesting maybe the government is totally prepared to offer unanimous support to not waive the 48-hour notice for any amendment and to do that wherever you think appropriate.

[The Vice-Chair, Liberal, John McCallum]

Do you agree?

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

Yes, I agree with that, perhaps a section 21.2 in clause 3.

[The Vice-Chair, Liberal, John McCallum]

Okay, then we'll agree on government amendment G-1.

Is there agreement on that?

[Marcel Proulx, Liberal, Hull—Aylmer, QC]

We're on G-2 now. We've already done G-1.

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

We're debating a subamendment of G-1.

[Marcel Proulx, Liberal, Hull—Aylmer, QC]

No, this is G-2.

[The Vice-Chair, Liberal, John McCallum]

All right, G-2, providing for a reduced rate of postage.

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

Yes, it's your subamendment.

[The Vice-Chair, Liberal, John McCallum]

All in favour?

[Jeff Watson, Conservative, Essex, ON]

A point of order, Mr. Chair.

Just so I understand, did we now withdraw the subamendment? Is that what's happened here and we're now on the main amendment?

[The Vice-Chair, Liberal, John McCallum]

The subamendment has been withdrawn—

[Jeff Watson, Conservative, Essex, ON]

Okay, that's what I wanted to know.

[The Vice-Chair, Liberal, John McCallum]

—with the idea of adding it as a separate section of the bill.

[Jeff Watson, Conservative, Essex, ON]

Right.

[The Vice-Chair, Liberal, John McCallum]

So we're left only with this one government amendment.

[Jeff Watson, Conservative, Essex, ON]

Okay. I just wanted to be clear.

[The Vice-Chair, Liberal, John McCallum]

I think there's agreement. Is there agreement on this amendment?

(Amendment agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])

(Clause 2 as amended agreed to)

Mr. Jean.

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

Mr. Chair, I noticed the Bloc didn't agree to the amendment. I'm wondering if there's something that would be a better solution to fix it. I know it's passed already, but would they prefer something different? I just want to get the best bill possible, and if they have a different opinion, I would like to hear it.

[Michel Guimond, Bloc, Montmorency—Charlevoix—Haute-Côte-Nord, QC]

I have no objection to starting. I had all kinds of arguments against the government's amendment, but since it is 11:40 a.m. and since we have a very important bill on the National Capital Commission that affects my colleague's riding of Gatineau, I have decided to hold my fire until later. Under the rules of the house, we have the right to vote for or against a motion, and we do not have to justify our choice. So I would like us to move on to something else.

Mr. Jean, your office is not far from mine. I will go over and explain loud and clear why I found it a bit problematic. It won't keep me awake at night, and it won't keep you awake either.

[The Vice-Chair, Liberal, John McCallum]

Okay. Thank you very much.

(On clause 3)

I believe there is a government amendment.

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

Yes, Mr. Chair.

The government is proposing in this case to remove the reference to Canadian Heritage, just simply because we feel it would be better to just mention Her Majesty in right of Canada in its entirety and not restrict it to just Canadian Heritage. Obviously, the Department of Canadian Heritage is not involved in the library book rate, and as a result, it would bring more clarity to it and make a lot more sense.

[The Vice-Chair, Liberal, John McCallum]

Is there any discussion on this amendment?

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

Mr. Chair, when is the appropriate time to introduce the subamendment?

[The Vice-Chair, Liberal, John McCallum]

I'm not quite clear if this would be a fourth clause to the bill or whether it would be a part of clause 3.