Thank you, Mr. Chair.
The purpose of amendment LIB-4 is to correct what I believe to be a fundamental error that infringes upon our democratic process, given that the bill reads as follows:10.1 (1) At least once every 10 years after the day on which this subsection comes into force, the Commission shall submit to the Governor in Council for approval a master plan for the National Capital Region for the next 50 years, including principles and objectives.
The following paragraph reads:
(2) The Minister shall cause a copy of a master plan approved under [the preceding] subsection to be laid before each House of Parliament within 30 sitting days after its approval.
That means that the government decides everything. Everyone knows what it means when you say “governor in council”. The government determines the master plan for the next 50 years and advises each House of Parliament. Furthermore, amendment G-5 confirms that the master plan is to be laid before each House of Parliament, but not for approval by the House of Commons or the Senate. It is for information purposes only.
I think that once every ten years—and this is certainly not unreasonable—the master plan for the national capital region should without a doubt be approved by the House of Commons and by the Senate.