Transport committee  The building by the province of the Windsor-Essex Parkway is currently under way, which is perhaps one of the major elements of the DRIC process and the DRIC environmental assessment. The parkway, to my understanding, also would be exempt from requiring certain permits and approvals under the number of applicable federal acts, which further reinforces the earlier testimony given.

Transport committee  My understanding is yes, and there is a slight difference between what is required on the U.S. side and what is required on our side. The U.S. side does not require as many permits as are requisite here. On the U.S. side, they simply need the U.S. Coast Guard permit and a presidential permit to proceed.

Transport committee  Well, I'll let the Transport officials speak to the constitutionality, the potential challenge, and its success. But what I do know, based on the years of experience and the years of involvement, certainly through the DRIC process, the environmental assessment process and where we are today, is that this piece of legislation, the Bridge to Strengthen Trade Act, is a significant step forward that gives the type of certainty that is required to ensure the construction and the timely completion of the bridge and, by virtue of that, the economic viability of the regions along that corridor.

Transport committee  I think this is perhaps one of the most important points you have raised, Mr. Watson, in the sense that this does provide certainty to the P3 market. This is unlike any other project because of the fact that for the last several years it has been engaged in a very public, very comprehensive environmental assessment process that's been challenged from time to time by an individual trying to protect his private interest, that being the Ambassador Bridge.

Transport committee  That is my understanding.

Transport committee  Yes, in my review of clauses 7 to 12, and based on the information I have, that is correct.

Transport committee  I think there are probably more learned experts to speak to it, but proposal 6 is the Ambassador Bridge's attempt to take the decision away from elected officials by bombarding the local communities with false advertising as to what is being suggested will be completed here. At the end of the day, there are always going to be lawsuits.

Transport committee  Absolutely, Mr. Chair. That's why I'm here. This is a very important bill. It's more than just words on paper; this is the economic lifeline. I believe this piece of legislation will go a long way to really strengthening the position and really reflecting the hard work that has been done and culminated in the announcement by the Prime Minister and the governor in the summer of this year.

Transport committee  Yes, I really do. I can speak of the experience that you heard about earlier today. The Province of Ontario is well into the construction of the billion-dollar-plus roadway. That went to a public-private partnership through the consortium, and obviously there are measures in place there.

Transport committee  With regard to the first part of your question, the DRIC process undertook a very extensive environmental assessment process, which was conducted and sponsored by all levels of government—Ontario, Canada, the State of Michigan, as well as the U.S.. A couple of things, as you heard earlier....

Transport committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair, and good afternoon. Cognizant of time, I'll keep my statements brief. I appear before you today in support of the Bridge to Strengthen Trade Act. As you and the committee members are well aware, Mr. Chair, the main objective of this legislation is to ensure the successful and timely construction of the Detroit River International Crossing project, in that this legislation will allow us to bring certainty to the P3 market and to the private sector for the construction of this project through the terms that have been articulated.