Evidence of meeting #51 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.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Merv Tweed
The vote has been taken. The decision of the chair has been overturned. We're moving on.
Conservative
Liberal
John McCallum Liberal Markham—Unionville, ON
I think it's the only amendment I don't understand. I wonder if Mr. Jean could explain briefly what the purpose of it is.
Conservative
Brian Jean Conservative Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB
In this case, I would like to call legal in. I'll try to explain it. My understanding of the rationale from the legal department is that the amendment is meant to ensure that the regulations under Bill C-511 are included and that other bills can withstand the legal challenge. For these reasons, it is recommended that the changes be made. That's my understanding. I don't know if I can be more clear than that.
(Amendment agreed to) [See Minutes of Proceedings]
Conservative
Conservative
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Merv Tweed
Shall the committee order a reprint of the bill as amended for the use of the House at report stage?
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Merv Tweed
I'm going to suspend for a couple of minutes to get reorganized for the second part of our agenda, which is on some motions by members.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Merv Tweed
Welcome back.
We're into the second part of today's agenda. It is on motions that have been received by the chair. We have four of them on the record, and Mr. McCallum is the mover of all four.
Traditionally we have presented motions in the order they were received. Mr. McCallum, I believe that the first one we received from you is on the study you're proposing on freight reviews.
Liberal
John McCallum Liberal Markham—Unionville, ON
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Two of these motions involve studies. I know that we have quite a number of studies already, and I'm not asking for a particular time. So I think that the question of priorities, comparing these proposals with others on the table, is for discussion at another time. At this point, it's just the principle that we would at some point like to do a study.
The first one has to do with a rail freight service review. I think this is an important issue. I think the government is saying that the report will come out soon, but it never seems to come. Maybe it will tomorrow. But I think it would be a good issue for the committee to study.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Merv Tweed
The motion on the floor from Mr. McCallum is that the committee begin a study on the rail freight service review and report its findings to the House of Commons.
The floor is open for comment.
Go ahead, Mr. Jean.
Conservative
Brian Jean Conservative Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB
Well, I'm glad the Liberals are coming to the table on the rail freight review and the issue of rail freight and the issues that involve Canadians.
Of course I expect the Bloc members to fully support me on this, because the government's very interested in what's happening with the rail industry, as you're aware.
Certainly we're not going to oppose this. We think this is a great motion. Of course we have to wait for it to be translated. We understand that it's still in translation. As you say, there's no time limit on it, because we continue to wait for it to come and be put forward from the government after translation. I understand that it's going to be coming forward immediately. Certainly we're fully in favour of studying it once it comes out.
Liberal
John McCallum Liberal Markham—Unionville, ON
Well, I'm glad that the government side supports the motion. The only comment I would make on translation is that my understanding is that it's not a terribly long report, and it's already two months or more late. So I'm wondering whether the reasons might be more than just translation, but that would be speculation.
I'm glad you support the motion.
(Motion agreed to) [See Minutes of Proceedings]
Conservative
Liberal
John McCallum Liberal Markham—Unionville, ON
We're asking for a study concerning the Ontario-Quebec corridor and the Atlantic gateway strategies. We list two ministers we would like to have as witnesses.
I have heard from a number of sources that there's uncertainty or there's concern about all of the gateway strategies, other than the Pacific gateway. The Pacific gateway seems to be on track, at least relative to the Ontario, Quebec, and Atlantic strategies. So we think it's a good idea to conduct a study on this topic.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Merv Tweed
We've heard the motion by Mr. McCallum. Are there any comments?
Yes, Mr. Jean.
