Transport Committee on Feb. 5th, 2018

[Ellen Burack]

I can say that in consultations over the course of 2016, we did speak to communities across the country about what was needed, and a lot of the feedback from that was used to build the abandoned boats program and the small craft harbours program.

We acknowledge that the first call had a very short time for application. The time was shorter because of the small amount of time left in the fiscal year to get out some of those grants and contributions. There was also a feeling that in the first instance perhaps a lot of the requests would be for assessments, because an assessment is required before one moves to removal under the abandoned boats program, so that explains some of the size and number limitations.

[Sheila Malcolmson, NDP, Nanaimo—Ladysmith, BC]

But there were only four assessment applications for the whole country.

[Ellen Burack]

As the minister acknowledged, there was surprise over that. I believe our programs people are looking at how to facilitate and how to market and how to get the word out in terms of access to these programs going forward.

[Sheila Malcolmson, NDP, Nanaimo—Ladysmith, BC]

Is your sense that it's a marketing problem, or are you exploring whether the terms and the percentage that local governments are now being asked to put up front, let alone the application process, are too onerous?

[Ellen Burack]

I would have to check with colleagues. I'm not managing those programs.

[Sheila Malcolmson, NDP, Nanaimo—Ladysmith, BC]

Is it possible for the committee to hear back on that? We do need to get this right, especially for this next round of funding through the oceans protection plan. Is it April 1 that the next intake happens?

[Ellen Burack]

There's a call open now, I believe. It closes in the middle of March.

[Sheila Malcolmson, NDP, Nanaimo—Ladysmith, BC]

We have a new round coming up in the spring in any case, so it would be good for us to hear back.

I've also heard that in some cases the seller of a boat thinks they have done an ownership transfer, but in fact the buyer of the boat has failed to file the ownership transfer as a way to avoid paying sales tax. Is that something on your radar? How are you remedying that?

[Ellen Burack]

It is something we've been talking to provinces about. It's certainly of concern to them when sales tax is avoided as well. We're looking at that in the context of the licensing system and the improvements that need to be made.

[The Chair, Liberal, Judy Sgro]

Are there any further questions?

Go ahead, Ms. Jordan.

[Bernadette Jordan, Liberal, South Shore—St. Margarets, NS]

I have one short one, Chair, if you don't mind.

My question is with regard to the abandoned boats program. There seems to be a belief within a few of my municipal units that if they apply for funding for the assessment, they then are committed to going forward with the project, even if they don't know how much it's going to cost. As a result, they're hesitant to apply, because they feel that if they accept the $5,000 to do the assessment, they are then responsible for going ahead whether they can afford the rest of it or not.

Can you comment on whether that's actually the case?

[Ellen Burack]

I will confirm with the committee if my understanding is not correct, but I do not believe there's a requirement to proceed once the assessment is done. However, as I say, if that is incorrect, I'll get back to the committee.

[The Chair, Liberal, Judy Sgro]

We've covered off a lot questions today.

Thank you very much to our departmental staff for answering the questions so clearly on something that's very important to all the members here. We thank you very much.

I'm going to suspend momentarily for our guests to leave, and then we'll go in camera for a few minutes to do a bit of committee business.

Thank you.

[Proceedings continue in camera]