Evidence of meeting #138 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 communities.
A video is available from Parliament.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
Thank you very much, Minister Champagne.
I'm going to go to Mr. Jeneroux for his six minutes, but the lights for the bells are flashing. Do we have unanimous consent to continue until five minutes before the vote?
All right, fine.
Mr. Jeneroux, you have six minutes.
Conservative
Matt Jeneroux Conservative Edmonton Riverbend, AB
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Getting back to a question similar to Mr. Iacono's question, it's my understanding that Signature on the St. Lawrence, SSL, would be responsible for the operation and maintenance of the new Champlain Bridge for the next 30 years.
The largest stakeholder—and you know this—is of course SNC-Lavalin. I would imagine as the minister responsible for the bridge which is requesting money in these estimates here today, that you, being from Montreal, or your office have met with SNC-Lavalin.
Liberal
François-Philippe Champagne Liberal Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC
I come from Shawinigan. I just want to state that for the record, for those who are watching us.
Indeed, this is one of the largest infrastructure projects in North America, so I did call the CEO of SNC-Lavalin. I called the CEO of Dragados. I called the CEO of Arup. I called the CEOs of all major partners in both the Gordie Howe International Bridge and the new Samuel de Champlain Bridge.
Conservative
Matt Jeneroux Conservative Edmonton Riverbend, AB
My question is specifically about the Champlain Bridge. Thanks, Minister.
In this conversation with the CEO of SNC-Lavalin, was it ever mentioned the possibility of moving the headquarters and the potential of 9,000 jobs lost because of a DPA not being granted?
Liberal
François-Philippe Champagne Liberal Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC
Because I called the meeting, the CEO appeared with his whole management team. As you know, at the time, my main concern was to make sure that we would all work toward the completion of that major infrastructure project.
The discussion was about the Samuel de Champlain Bridge, and I wanted to.... I just want to state for the record that I did call for the meeting. They did not ask me. I summoned all the CEOs and I had the CEO of Dragados as well. They wanted to meet separately, although they're part of the same consortium. I think it's incumbent upon me as Minister of Infrastructure to make sure that top management would have the same interest in making sure we complete this project as soon as possible.
Conservative
Matt Jeneroux Conservative Edmonton Riverbend, AB
Of course. Just equivocally, yes or no, did the 9,000 jobs come up in that conversation with SNC-Lavalin?
Liberal
François-Philippe Champagne Liberal Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC
The discussion was around the Champlain Bridge and how we can make sure—
Conservative
Liberal
François-Philippe Champagne Liberal Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC
As I said, the discussion was not about what you're referring to. The discussion was about the Samuel de Champlain Bridge.
Conservative
Matt Jeneroux Conservative Edmonton Riverbend, AB
So that would be no, the 9,000 jobs were not discussed.
Conservative
Matt Jeneroux Conservative Edmonton Riverbend, AB
Madam Chair, I think he's more than capable of answering himself.
Just clarify, yes or no, so we can move on, Minister.
Liberal
François-Philippe Champagne Liberal Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC
As I said, the discussion was about the Samuel de Champlain Bridge. That's why I called upon them in my office.
Conservative
Matt Jeneroux Conservative Edmonton Riverbend, AB
You sound as if you're the Prime Minister right now. Give a simple answer, yes or no.
Liberal
François-Philippe Champagne Liberal Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC
I'll take that as a compliment, if you say that I sound like our Prime Minister.
Conservative
Matt Jeneroux Conservative Edmonton Riverbend, AB
Okay. Yes.
Madam Chair, I'd like to move the following motion, pausing the time, of course:
That the Committee invite the Signature on the Saint Lawrence, no later than Friday, May 31, 2019, to update the Committee on the status of the new Samuel de Champlain Bridge, which is expected to be complete by June 2019.
I would like a recorded vote on this, again, because a vote against this would again mean continued cover-up of how SNC-Lavalin is connected with the Prime Minister and perhaps this minister.
NDP
Robert Aubin NDP Trois-Rivières, QC
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Once more, if that motion is passed, I propose that we remove the date and leave the organization of the rest of the session in your capable hands. I don't want the work that is already on our agenda to disappear.
Conservative
Matt Jeneroux Conservative Edmonton Riverbend, AB
Madam Chair, could I respond?
On this particular one, I think, because the bridge is supposed to be open by June 2019, give it a fair bit of leeway in terms of being May 31. I think the date is prudent. If the chair sees otherwise, I'll leave it up to you, Madam Chair. The bridge is only walkable at this point in time, and it was promised back in December that it would be driveable.
At the end of the day, I would suggest that that would be my position on this motion.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
This will be a recorded vote.
(Motion negatived: nays 6; yeas 3)
We're back to Mr. Jeneroux. You have three minutes remaining.
Conservative
Matt Jeneroux Conservative Edmonton Riverbend, AB
Madam Chair, I think it was interesting to see members on the other side, particularly ones from Quebec, vote against that motion.
Moving on, Minister, there's a transfer of $99 million to the Canada Infrastructure Bank. I have to tell you, it's a little hard to ask questions about the Canada Infrastructure Bank because nothing is really public at all about it. However, we do know that the transfer authorities, to date, are around $477 million.
The last time your officials were here, the committee was told that there was a transfer to the one and only reannounced investment, the REM project, also in Quebec. Is the $99 million another transfer to the REM project?
Liberal
François-Philippe Champagne Liberal Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC
What I can say, Madam Chair, is that I would disagree with the member in terms of being open and transparent. I have been answering questions about the Canada Infrastructure Bank. I think the committee had a chance to get the CEO of the Canada Infrastructure Bank. As I said, they had more than 100 meetings since inception. They're looking at about 60 projects. There are 10 projects that are active, which they are looking at, which would be public transit—
Conservative
Liberal
François-Philippe Champagne Liberal Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC
Just allow me to put that in perspective. It would not be in Canadians' best interest for me to go into commercial discussions that are happening. Obviously, what the deputy minister would have said, I stand on the record. That's the position that we would have on this matter, Madam Chair.
Conservative
Matt Jeneroux Conservative Edmonton Riverbend, AB
If you don't want to get into the details now, perhaps you could provide us, as was done last time, with a written response in terms of where that $99 million—