Transport Committee on Nov. 6th, 2012

[Jeff Watson, Conservative, Essex, ON]

That's correct.

On removing these process points for judicial review, while saving the compliance, you may have heard federal officials earlier who said that the only real challenge when Bill C-45 is passed is a constitutional challenge against Bill C-45 itself. They were satisfied that the challenge could not be mounted.

Are you sufficiently assured, being in a strongly impacted community with this project, that at least on the Canadian side with the passage of Bill C-45, we will be clear of lawsuits?

[Eddie Francis]

Well, I'll let the Transport officials speak to the constitutionality, the potential challenge, and its success.

But what I do know, based on the years of experience and the years of involvement, certainly through the DRIC process, the environmental assessment process and where we are today, is that this piece of legislation, the Bridge to Strengthen Trade Act, is a significant step forward that gives the type of certainty that is required to ensure the construction and the timely completion of the bridge and, by virtue of that, the economic viability of the regions along that corridor.

[Jeff Watson, Conservative, Essex, ON]

And to P3 certainty as well in the bidding process...? Legal hazard is one of the things they look at in terms of whether there is an uncertainty in terms of the process moving forward. Do you believe this will lead to more bidders with this uncertainty addressed, with more bidders equalling better value for the taxpayer in the end as well?

Your thoughts on that...?

[Eddie Francis]

I think this is perhaps one of the most important points you have raised, Mr. Watson, in the sense that this does provide certainty to the P3 market. This is unlike any other project because of the fact that for the last several years it has been engaged in a very public, very comprehensive environmental assessment process that's been challenged from time to time by an individual trying to protect his private interest, that being the Ambassador Bridge.

The P3 market is looking for certainty. They are looking for the certainty that we've done everything we can do to ensure that when they do come forward, when they do bid, and when they do put their proposals forward, they will be successful. I have no doubt in my mind, given that issue, that they will be successful in doing that.

[The Vice-Chair, Liberal, Denis Coderre]

Thank you very much, Mr. Mayor, Mr. Maas, and Mr. Marit, for your contributions.

As you've noticed, we only have two minutes. Because we were supposed to provide some recommendations, what I will propose to you is this: that if we do put forward a motion and you table it before Friday at 5, we will be able to then bring it back on November 20 so we can pass those motions, because we have until November 20 at 5 o'clock.

If you have any motions, you have until Friday at 5 p.m. to propose them. At the next meeting, on November 20, our committee will be able to adopt these recommendations and send them to the Standing Committee on Finance.

Is that right, Mr. Clerk? I have been told yes.

Does that answer your questions? Yes? Good.

The meeting is adjourned.