Evidence of meeting #2 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 amendment.
A recording is available from Parliament.
4:35 p.m.
Conservative
4:35 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
Thank goodness. We're going to be a friendly hard-working committee here.
All right, are there any other motions before we have other business?
4:35 p.m.
Conservative
Kelly Block Conservative Carlton Trail—Eagle Creek, SK
I understand that any motions we tabled that we think will fit into a plan going forward to the end of June would be good to get on the—
4:35 p.m.
Conservative
Kelly Block Conservative Carlton Trail—Eagle Creek, SK
Okay, then I would like to move the motion that I put on notice:
That the Committee invite officials from Transport Canada to appear in front of the Committee to discuss Marine Atlantic.
4:35 p.m.
Liberal
4:35 p.m.
Liberal
Ken Hardie Liberal Fleetwood—Port Kells, BC
I propose an amendment to say, “during the minister's next appearance before this committee”.
4:35 p.m.
Liberal
Ken Hardie Liberal Fleetwood—Port Kells, BC
I'm sorry, is this the Marine Atlantic motion? Oh, dear....
4:35 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
Do you want to repeat the motion? You also have a motion on marine safety on the west coast.
4:35 p.m.
Conservative
Kelly Block Conservative Carlton Trail—Eagle Creek, SK
I do. I have put two motions on notice.
One is:
That the Committee invite officials from Transport Canada to appear in front of the Committee to discuss Marine Atlantic.
The second one is:
That the Committee invite representatives from the Marine Safety Division of Transport Canada to appear in front of the Committee to discuss maritime traffic safety on Canada's west coast.
It is talking about Marine Atlantic and ferry services in Atlantic Canada, and then the marine traffic on Canada's west coast. It's both.
4:35 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
You're covering off both sides.
Okay, Mr. Hardie, go ahead on Ms. Block's motion.
4:35 p.m.
Liberal
Ken Hardie Liberal Fleetwood—Port Kells, BC
In the interest of focus and ensuring that we make best use of time, that amendment that I thought was in the wrong place probably is in the right place. I would amend by saying, “during the minister's next appearance before this committee”. We could signal that to the minister so that he brings the appropriate people to speak to this issue.
4:35 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
The infrastructure minister, Minister Sohi, is coming on Monday, March 7, and Minister Garneau is coming on March 9. You're suggesting, Mr. Hardie, that they bring appropriate officials who can also discuss Marine Atlantic and issues of marine safety on the west coast, at least in a preliminary way.
Is that your motion?
4:35 p.m.
Conservative
Kelly Block Conservative Carlton Trail—Eagle Creek, SK
With regard to inviting officials to discuss Marine Atlantic, I'm not favourable to that amendment to having just a conversation with the minister. I'm sure there are many things that we're going to want to talk to the minister about on that day, and perhaps not the officials from Transport Canada.
I recognize that the other motion, which I've also read, is in his mandate letter. I would be very open to that with the second motion, but not on this motion.
4:40 p.m.
Liberal
Sean Fraser Liberal Central Nova, NS
Can you remind me, please? Do we have the ministers for the full two hours of our meeting when they've agreed to come?
4:40 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
Yes, it's my understanding that they will be here for two hours, which is a rarity, on both March 7 and 9. We will have them here for plenty of time, as well as their officials.
Ms. Duncan.
4:40 p.m.
NDP
Linda Duncan NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
Given that we have two hours with the minister, and I agree that it's a rarity, we don't want—
4:40 p.m.
NDP
Linda Duncan NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
No, my understanding is that it's the minister. If he wants to turn to one of his officials to elaborate, that's different, but it's two hours with the minister. I don't want that time to be watered down by meeting with the officials. The meeting with the officials is different from asking the minister questions. If the ministers have agreed to be here for two hours, it's the ministers who are taking our questions, not the officials.
I think Ms. Block is looking for a more detailed briefing and conversation with a specific entity in Transport Canada, or whoever else, during which we would spend a concerted amount of time looking at her issue.
I don't see that it makes sense to combine the two. She might want to ask a one-off question, but I'm hearing her saying.... I mean, that would take away from questions that the other members might want to ask of the minister in terms of the minister's mandate letter.
