Evidence of meeting #133 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.
11:50 a.m.
Deputy Minister, Department of Transport
As you properly indicated, the funds in the interim estimates provide the core operating budget for MAI to provide the constitutional service to Newfoundland and Labrador.
In terms of the fleet renewal plan for MAI, we're actually having an active discussion with MAI at this time. We should see greater clarity on that coming in a future corporate plan.
11:55 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
Thank you very much, Mr. Rogers. I'm sorry, but your time is up.
Mr. Jeneroux.
11:55 a.m.
Edmonton Riverbend, CPC
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Considering that ask for $15 million as part of these estimates in terms of the tear-down and completion of the Champlain Bridge, do you foresee any delays in the completion of the bridge because of the SNC-Lavalin affair?
11:55 a.m.
Deputy Minister, Infrastructure and Communities, Office of Infrastructure of Canada
With regard to the construction of the Champlain Bridge, all of the information that we have is that SSL, our consortium partner, is reporting to us that it is on track to open the bridge before the end of June 2019, and we do have an independent engineer who also looks at the schedule. All of the reporting to us to date does not give us any indication that this should differ from that opening.
11:55 a.m.
Edmonton Riverbend, CPC
In the chance that it does get delayed, did your department ever prepare memos or briefings of any kind for the minister or staff regarding this SNC-Lavalin affair and infrastructure contracts that are ongoing in the future?
11:55 a.m.
Deputy Minister, Infrastructure and Communities, Office of Infrastructure of Canada
When we are looking at the contract for the schedule of the Champlain Bridge and looking at the scheduling of it, we're focusing very much on the schedule and how the construction is moving along, and we are having technical experts look at that and advise us on the progress of the construction. At this point in time, as the minister came out in October, talking with SSL about the delays in the construction, it is looking like we are going to be opening the bridge, based on what has been reported to us, by June 2019. All of the focus of our reporting has been on the construction schedule and how it's moving along.
11:55 a.m.
Edmonton Riverbend, CPC
I guess my specific question was whether you have prepared the minister any briefings with regard to.... A lot has changed since October with regard to the SNC-Lavalin affair and I'm curious if you have prepared for the minister any briefings on any possible delays.
11:55 a.m.
Deputy Minister, Infrastructure and Communities, Office of Infrastructure of Canada
There have been no briefings, that I'm aware of, on possible delays, given the situation that's being reported right now about SNC-Lavalin.
11:55 a.m.
Edmonton Riverbend, CPC
Have any other departments provided you or your department with any relevant information regarding the SNC-Lavalin affair?
11:55 a.m.
Deputy Minister, Infrastructure and Communities, Office of Infrastructure of Canada
I'm not aware of any, no.
11:55 a.m.
Edmonton Riverbend, CPC
Okay.
The Canada Infrastructure Bank has still only invested in one project to date, the REM light rail in Montreal. This project, which—surprise—SNC-Lavalin has a contract for, was announced before the bank had a CEO and conveniently the day before Philippe Couillard, the former premier of Quebec and a Liberal, launched his—
11:55 a.m.
Liberal
11:55 a.m.
Edmonton Riverbend, CPC
I haven't even asked my question, Madam Chair.
Was there any influence from the Office of Infrastructure of Canada on the bank to invest in this project?
11:55 a.m.
Deputy Minister, Infrastructure and Communities, Office of Infrastructure of Canada
The decision to invest in this particular project was made in June 2017. The investing in Canada plan has four streams, and one of our most important streams is public transit—$20 billion in the integrated bilateral agreements. That is a priority area for the government overall. There are important projects in transit going on across the country. The decision that was made in 2017 was to invest in light rail, and in that decision at that time, it was contemplated that it could be a project for the Infrastructure Bank that was in the process of being stood up. The commitment was to look at whether a new business model could go forward with this particular project. If not, traditional funding would be used.
11:55 a.m.
Edmonton Riverbend, CPC
Was there any influence, to your knowledge, from any other department on the bank—specifically the Department of Finance, which does, in fact, have the financial authority with regard to which projects are funded—to invest in the light rail in Montreal?
11:55 a.m.
Deputy Minister, Infrastructure and Communities, Office of Infrastructure of Canada
The decision that I am aware of was announced in 2017, so it is in line with the priority of the Government of Canada to invest in public transit.
11:55 a.m.
Edmonton Riverbend, CPC
Madam Chair, I still have another minute left in committee.
11:55 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
I have it as four seconds left. The clerk has a clock here, and we're following that.
Noon
Edmonton Riverbend, CPC
I'd like to move a motion to continue to hear from the witnesses, considering they've only had one hour to give testimony on a significant part of the budget.
Noon
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
It was our intent as per our schedule to have all of the witnesses here from 11 until 12.
Noon
Edmonton Riverbend, CPC
Madam Chair, I'd like to move a motion to extend that for another hour.