Evidence of meeting #1 for Transport, Infrastructure and Communities in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was chair.
A recording is available from Parliament.
4:30 p.m.
Conservative
Kelly Block Conservative Carlton Trail—Eagle Creek, SK
I'm not sure if the committee gave unanimous consent to entertain my motion, but I did propose a motion, so we have copies, in both official languages, if people would like to see it. We could circulate the motion to the committee. Then if we vote on that, it gives direction to invite the Minister of Transport.
4:30 p.m.
Liberal
Vance Badawey Liberal Niagara Centre, ON
Is it critical that we have the Minister of Transport on that day? I'm just being sensitive to the scheduling. Would it make a difference which minister came in on that day, or does it have to be the Minister of Transport?
4:30 p.m.
Conservative
Kelly Block Conservative Carlton Trail—Eagle Creek, SK
The motion just says to invite the minister to appear before the committee by March 15, so it's taking into consideration that he has a very full schedule and it will be at his discretion.
4:30 p.m.
Liberal
4:30 p.m.
Some hon. members
Agreed.
4:30 p.m.
Conservative
Dianne Lynn Watts Conservative South Surrey—White Rock, BC
Well, being that it's only the Minister of Infrastructure, I'll duplicate the motion for the Minister of Infrastructure to appear before the 15th. It's exactly the same motion, only if we can insert his name....
4:30 p.m.
Some hon. members
Agreed.
4:30 p.m.
NDP
Linda Duncan NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
I'm troubled that the suggestion is that we can just hold the subcommittee sometime. The best way to ensure that everybody on the subcommittee can attend the subcommittee is to have it at a time when we normally meet. Given that we don't have anything scheduled for the next while, I would like to recommend if neither minister is available next Wednesday, that instead the subcommittee meet to try to plan potential items for discussion in addition to the ministers, or related to the minister's business.
I'm already looking like I'm very busy on the Tuesday. I think it's important that at least with the first couple of subcommittee meetings we endeavour to have as many people there as possible. Otherwise you're going to be phoning around trying to find a date, or a date will be chosen unilaterally and some people won't be available because we have busy schedules.
I think it's really important for the certainty and the flow of the committee that at a very early stage, in addition to the ministers, which we all agree is a good idea to have them come.... There are a number of important matters which I would like to be brought forward in a sensible way through the subcommittee rather than just throwing out motions. I would like to strongly recommend that in one of the first two meetings that the subcommittee choose that time because we will all be available.
4:30 p.m.
Liberal
4:30 p.m.
Conservative
Kelly Block Conservative Carlton Trail—Eagle Creek, SK
I think we would support that suggestion if it works to have the subcommittee meet during our time on the first Wednesday we are back. That provides the ministers with a little more flexibility for appearing possibly the following week. It would then inform our discussion on future business when we come back together as a whole committee.
4:30 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
Ms. Duncan's suggestion is that the Wednesday that we've had this lengthy discussion on, which is February 16, our first meeting back, be a meeting of the steering committee, not the whole committee but the steering committee only.
4:30 p.m.
NDP
Linda Duncan NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
In addition, during that meeting we will also be discussing what kinds of items this committee would like to move forward. In each of the caucuses there will be some discussion about what they would like to suggest their representatives on the committee bring forth.
4:35 p.m.
Liberal
4:35 p.m.
Liberal
Vance Badawey Liberal Niagara Centre, ON
Madam Chair, if I may, I have a point of clarification, or maybe a point of order.
Should we not establish the steering committee first?
4:35 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
Yes. It's automatically the two vice-chairs, the chair and two members of the government. If the government members are prepared to suggest who they'd like to be on that committee, it is an appropriate time.
4:35 p.m.
Liberal
Sean Fraser Liberal Central Nova, NS
I propose that Mr. Hardie and Mr. Badawey be the Liberal members on the steering committee.
4:35 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
All right, that's fine. Thank you very much.
We have agreed, then, that on Wednesday, February 16, we are going to have a meeting of the steering committee.