Transport committee  All citizens can write to the minister. In fact they do so every day.

Transport committee  We are not taking away a right from citizens, because they will still be able to write and indicate that they disagree.

Transport committee  Mr. Leclerc will give you more details.

Transport committee  Yes. For example, in the House, we have the Standing Joint Committee for the Scrutiny of Regulations. We do have significant requests from that committee. Those are either adjustments to the English, the French, or they request us to go back into the policy intent. Many of those regulations are already passed through the House.

Transport committee  Yes, that's a fair assessment when we're dealing with major regulatory changes that get significant impact financially but also on the operations and safety of the overall regime. The type of amendment that we're looking at is sometimes administrative in nature, or where we have a significant level of consensus, Mr.

Transport committee  Yes, and in other elements that are more critical which deal with emergency situations where we want to make fast corrections, we have flexibility and an emergency directive, of course, but sometimes we have to address elements that are related to the regulations themselves. Significant consultations do take place with the proponent, but we want to act as rapidly as possible.

Transport committee  Mr. Chairman, I will talk generally about rule harmonization and the challenges we have overall. In all domains—it's not just transportation of dangerous goods by rail; it's also in the marine world and in the aviation world—we try to have the highest possible level of standards.

Transport committee  SMS is definitely part of regulatory processes.

Transport committee  Yes, you would get notice for SMS regulations.

Transport committee  I'll give the floor to Mr. Leclerc, who will give you some details of what we're talking about.

Transport committee  Yes.

Transport committee  No, that's not correct. It depends on the elements that we're dealing with.

Transport committee  It can vary, 30, 60, 90 days, depending on the gazetting processes.

Transport committee  Mr. Kash will answer.

Transport committee  Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and distinguished members. I'm pleased to appear before you today to speak about the three Transport Canada statutes that are proposed for amendment under the Budget Implementation Act. With me today is Kash Ram, director general of motor vehicle safety; Mrs.