Evidence of meeting #29 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.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Wayne Cole  Procedural Clerk
Simon Dubé  Director, Portfolio Management, Crown Corporation Governance, Department of Transport
Clerk of the Committee  Ms. Bonnie Charron

11:45 a.m.

Conservative

Brian Jean Conservative Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB

What a great idea.

11:45 a.m.

Liberal

The Vice-Chair Liberal John McCallum

Okay, at least every 10 years.

I shall now ask for a vote.

(Amendment agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])

Shall the bill as amended carry?

11:45 a.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.

11:45 a.m.

Liberal

The Vice-Chair Liberal John McCallum

Shall the chair report the bill as amended to the House?

11:45 a.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.

11:45 a.m.

Liberal

The Vice-Chair Liberal John McCallum

Shall the committee order a reprint of the bill as amended for the use of the House at report stage?

11:45 a.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.

11:45 a.m.

Liberal

The Vice-Chair Liberal John McCallum

Very good.

We'll suspend for a minute. This ends my debut as chair of the committee.

Noon

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Merv Tweed

Welcome back. Thank you to Mr. McCallum and the committee for helping me with my bill.

I have two things to raise before we start on the bill. It was discussed at our last meeting that we would consider all the evidence that had been brought before the committee on Bill C-37 as part of our study on Bill C-20, so I would ask for a motion for that information to be brought forward and included with the deliberations that we're continuing with today.

Noon

Conservative

Brian Jean Conservative Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB

I make that motion, Mr. Chair.

Noon

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Merv Tweed

Thank you, Mr. Jean.

Any comments? Monsieur Proulx.

Noon

Liberal

Marcel Proulx Liberal Hull—Aylmer, QC

Thank you.

We have to take for granted that since the study of Bill C-37 prior to prorogation until now, there have not been any major changes, whether it be the evidence that was given to us by different witnesses or whether it be changes brought on in the daily operation of the National Capital Commission.

I see you have a witness this morning. I don't know exactly what the witness will tell us or what we're driving at, but I simply want to make sure that there is no knowledge of major changes in any of the testimony or any of the evidence that was tabled or brought to the table under Bill C-37.

If there happen to have been any major changes or if amendments were made by the National Capital Commission, perhaps we should have that information, Mr. Chair. I will trust my colleague, the parliamentary secretary, to keep us up-to-date on the matter.

Noon

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Merv Tweed

Mr. Jean.

Noon

Conservative

Brian Jean Conservative Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB

Yes, and I understand Mr. Proulx's concern with that. I have had an opportunity to speak to the department, and that's why I actually suggested this matter be adjourned at least one week from where it was set originally. That is so that each party could see for themselves that the changes are minimal in nature and only as far as drafting. As far as I'm aware, the substantive part of the bill has not been changed.

Also, I would like to make comment for the committee that the former minister did meet with a member from each caucus, Monsieur Proulx, Monsieur Nadeau, and Paul Dewar from the NDP, who are all obviously concerned with this particular bill because it touches on all their constituencies. I understand that there were compromises reached in relation to most, if not all, of the issues that are before us today. But that, of course, begs to be seen in the next day or two.

12:05 p.m.

Liberal

Marcel Proulx Liberal Hull—Aylmer, QC

That's news to me.

12:05 p.m.

Conservative

Brian Jean Conservative Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB

Well, that's my understanding. I'm only reciting what I was told.

12:05 p.m.

Liberal

Marcel Proulx Liberal Hull—Aylmer, QC

You were told that by whom?

12:05 p.m.

Conservative

Brian Jean Conservative Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB

By the minister, that compromises had been reached.

12:05 p.m.

Liberal

Marcel Proulx Liberal Hull—Aylmer, QC

The present minister?

12:05 p.m.

Conservative

Brian Jean Conservative Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB

The previous minister. But that was last May, so--

12:05 p.m.

Liberal

Marcel Proulx Liberal Hull—Aylmer, QC

Oh, okay.

12:05 p.m.

Conservative

Brian Jean Conservative Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB

After the meetings had taken place with all the parties.

12:05 p.m.

Liberal

Marcel Proulx Liberal Hull—Aylmer, QC

That was a long time ago.

12:05 p.m.

Conservative

Brian Jean Conservative Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB

Yes, it was. That's why I say we'll wait to see what happens.

12:05 p.m.

Liberal

Marcel Proulx Liberal Hull—Aylmer, QC

Fine.