Transport Committee on Nov. 17th, 2016

[Darlene Boileau]

This is part of the platform that was announced in the 2016 budget. The money will be allocated to those investments.

[Alain Rayes, Conservative, Richmond—Arthabaska, QC]

Thank you.

The Parliamentary Secretary and the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities threw out a lot of numbers in recent question periods in the House. They told us that over 900 infrastructure projects had been approved. However, when we look at the figures, we see that only eight of the projects that have been approved are currently under way.

That information is from about three weeks ago. It's possible that the number of projects is now 10 or 12. Is that number wrong? Otherwise, it would seem that only a dozen projects have been under construction in Canada since the start of the year.

[Darlene Boileau]

Is the question for me?

[Alain Rayes, Conservative, Richmond—Arthabaska, QC]

Indeed. My questions will be just for you.

[Darlene Boileau]

The 700 projects we are referring to are part of the Infrastructure Canada's phase 1 investments.

[Alain Rayes, Conservative, Richmond—Arthabaska, QC]

Now you're talking about 700 projects, but the parliamentary secretary said there were over 900.

[Darlene Boileau]

There are over 900 projects if we include projects that were started last fall. Of these 900 projects, about 700 are part of phase 1, which was announced in April. About 70% of the projects are under way. Federal funding for these projects includes money for the design, scope, development, engineering studies—

[Alain Rayes, Conservative, Richmond—Arthabaska, QC]

My question has to do with projects under way, meaning ones where there are backhoe loaders and people on site. You said that 70% of these 900 projects—

[Darlene Boileau]

Funds have been allocated to 70% of these 900 projects, not just for backhoe loaders and people on site—

[Alain Rayes, Conservative, Richmond—Arthabaska, QC]

The purpose of my question is to determine how may of these 900 projects are currently in progress. I'm talking about projects where orange traffic cones have been set up and people are working on site. Can you give me the number?

[Darlene Boileau]

I have a number here that was used a few weeks ago, but I don't know if there are more or fewer now.

[Alain Rayes, Conservative, Richmond—Arthabaska, QC]

Fine.

[Darlene Boileau]

We can send you that information.

[Alain Rayes, Conservative, Richmond—Arthabaska, QC]

Perfect.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Judy Sgro]

Thank you very much.

Mr. Hardie.

[Ken Hardie, Liberal, Fleetwood—Port Kells, BC]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Ms. Hurdle and Mr. Cautillo, I have questions focusing on two specific projects.

With respect to the Windsor-Detroit bridge, has there been an update to the business plan for this bridge?

[Linda Hurdle, Chief Financial Administrative Officer, Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority]

Yes. We obviously, on a regular basis, look at the business plan and provide updates as the project moves along. There are a number of activities ongoing on the project right now with respect to U.S. property acquisitions, site preparations on the Canadian side, and utility relocation. On a regular basis, we look at and refresh the plan as the activities progress.

[Ken Hardie, Liberal, Fleetwood—Port Kells, BC]

What does the rather substantial lift in the budget represent?

[The Chair, Liberal, Judy Sgro]

Mr. Hardie, I'm going to have stop you there.

[Linda Hurdle]

So the—

[The Chair, Liberal, Judy Sgro]

Excuse me, I'm sorry. I know how much work must go into preparing to come before committee on supplementary estimates. A vote has been called, and we have some distance to get to the House for that.

I'm going to ask the committee, if it's their desire now, that I call out the votes for the various departments that are before us today.

[Ken Hardie, Liberal, Fleetwood—Port Kells, BC]

Yes, so moved.

[The Chair, Liberal, Judy Sgro]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT Vote 1b—Operating expenditures..........$34,048,601 Vote 5b—Capital expenditures..........$1,950,000 Vote 15b—Grants and contributions - Transportation infrastructure..........$6,407,437 Vote 20b—Grants and contributions - Other..........$3,724,318

(Votes 1b, 5b, 15b, and 20b agreed to on division)

OFFICE OF INFRASTRUCTURE OF CANADA Vote 5b—Capital expenditures..........$23,851,425 Vote 10b—Contributions..........$20,969,937

(Votes 5b and 10b agreed to on division)

THE FEDERAL BRIDGE CORPORATION LIMITED Vote 1b—Payments to the Corporation..........$1

(Vote 1b agreed to on division)

THE JACQUES CARTIER AND CHAMPLAIN BRIDGES INC. Vote 1b—Payments to the Corporation..........$15,606,000

(Vote 1b agreed to on division)

VIA RAIL CANADA INC. Vote 1b—Payments to Corporation..........$35,690,000

(Vote 1b agreed to on division)

WINDSOR-DETROIT BRIDGE AUTHORITY Vote 1b—Payments to the Authority..........$350,584,925

(Vote 1b agreed to on division)

Shall I report votes 1b, 5b,15b, and 20b under the Department of Transport; votes 5b and 10b under the Office Infrastructure of Canada; vote 1b under the Federal Bridge Corporation Limited; vote 1b under the Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Inc.; vote 1b under VIA Rail Canada Inc.; and vote 1b under Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority to the House?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

On division.

[The Chair, Liberal, Judy Sgro]

Thank you very much.

My apologies to the officials who have come out to this meeting. I thank you for supplying us with the information that you did.

That's it. The meeting is adjourned.