Transport Committee on March 4th, 2014

[The Chair, Conservative, Larry Miller]

We'll call our meeting to order.

As everyone knows, we're going through clause-by-clause study on Bill C-3.

First of all, I want to thank our witnesses who are here from the department. There may be some interchanging at some point, depending on the topic. We have some people here from the aeronautics industry as well.

Accordingly, if anybody has questions and we need to bring somebody to the table, feel free to do that at any time.

[David McGuinty, Liberal, Ottawa South, ON]

Could they introduce themselves?

[The Chair, Conservative, Larry Miller]

Yes, we can certainly do that.

Mr. McGuinty has asked that you introduce yourselves.

[John Thachet, Legal Counsel, Legal Services, Department of Transport]

I'm John Thachet, from the Department of Justice, with the Transport Canada legal services.

[David Reble, Manager, National Airports and Air Navigation Services Policy, Department of Transport]

I'm David Reble, from Transport Canada, airports and air navigation services policy.

[Dave Dawson, Director, Airports and Air Navigation Services Policy, Department of Transport]

I'm Dave Dawson, also from Transport Canada, airport policy group.

[The Chair, Conservative, Larry Miller]

Thank you, gentlemen.

First I'm going to propose that we group clauses 2 to 18 together just to make the best use of our time. If any of the committee members have an issue with any clause in that group, make me aware of it and we'll stop at that point, have the debate on it, and go forward from there.

Is everyone good with that?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Chair, Conservative, Larry Miller]

Mr. Mai.

[Hoang Mai, NDP, Brossard—La Prairie, QC]

Could I speak to clause 15?

[The Chair, Conservative, Larry Miller]

Clause 15, that's noted.

Clause 1 is postponed until the end.

(Clauses 2 to 14 inclusive agreed to)

(On clause 15)

Mr. Mai, I understand you want to speak to clause 15.

[Hoang Mai, NDP, Brossard—La Prairie, QC]

I want to speak to clauses 15 and 16.

We made an amendment that was refused because it went against what the bill was. Maybe I could get some clarification from the officials.

By the way, thank you very much for joining us again today to explain things to us and, above all, answer our questions.

What I gather from clauses 15 and 16 is that they are removing the minister's discretion to request a board of inquiry when a problem occurs in the system.

Can you tell us why those sections of the act were repealed and why that power was taken away from the minister?

[Jeff Watson, Conservative, Essex, ON]

If I might, wouldn't the removal of clauses be an issue for the clerk, not witnesses, if you will?

[Hoang Mai, NDP, Brossard—La Prairie, QC]

Yes, but the reason I'm asking is just to have more information.

[Jeff Watson, Conservative, Essex, ON]

You're asking them why the clauses were removed. It's a question for the clerk.

[Hoang Mai, NDP, Brossard—La Prairie, QC]

No, no. The effect of Bill C-3, clauses 15 and 16, is they're deleting some sections of the previous bill. I'm just asking about that amendment, about why are we repealing. It's on the amendment, but it's more on the bill.

[Jeff Watson, Conservative, Essex, ON]

Fair enough. I appreciate that.

[The Chair, Conservative, Larry Miller]

Who wants to respond to that?

[Alex Weatherston, Counsel, Legal Advisory Services, Department of Justice]

We'll respond to that.

I'm Alex Weatherston, from the Department of Justice, and I've been supporting the air force with the legal side of this bill.

That's a good question.

Currently, there is the power to convene a board of inquiry under this act. It goes into the Inquiries Act. As Mr. Armour mentioned last time we were here, there have been incidents where we have been close to doing that, to obtain that legal authority.

With the powers in part II of the Aeronautics Act, we no longer need that power in part I. That's why it's being deleted.

The other section that's being repealed deals with privileges, and likewise, all those privileges, which are being incorporated right now under the CTAISB Act into the air force activities, are also now found in part II of the Aeronautics Act amendments.

[Hoang Mai, NDP, Brossard—La Prairie, QC]

So that authority still exists, but in another part of the legislation. Is that correct?

[Alex Weatherston]

Exactly. That power currently exists and is no longer required once we have our amendments in the Aeronautics Act.

[Hoang Mai, NDP, Brossard—La Prairie, QC]

Thank you kindly.

[The Chair, Conservative, Larry Miller]

Is there any further discussion on clauses 15 or 16?

(Clauses 15 to 18 inclusive agreed to)

We'll now move to clause 19.

[Hoang Mai, NDP, Brossard—La Prairie, QC]

I'm sorry, Mr. Chair. There was a mistake in our amendments. Amendment NDP-1 was with respect to clause 18. I would—

[The Clerk of the Committee, Mr. Philippe Grenier-Michaud]

No, that's right.