TRAN Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities met in camera at 3:30 p.m. this day, in Room 253-D, Centre Block, the Chair, Merv Tweed, presiding.

The Chair presented the eighth Report from the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure which read as follows:

1. That the Committee prioritize the following studies:

– Bill C-33, Safer Railways Act;

– Bill C-511, Proactive Enforcement and Defect Accountability Legislation (PEDAL) Act; and

– Aviation Safety and Security (e.g. new Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) policy decisions, airport classification system, etc.).

2. That the Committee hear the following witnesses in relation to Bill C-33:

– the Minister from 4:30 – 5:30 PM (televised) on Tuesday, February 8, 2010;

– departmental officials, and possibly others, on Thursday, February 10, 2010; and

– the Railway Association of Canada, with CN and CP, on Tuesday, February 15, 2010.

3. That the meeting on Thursday, February 17, 2010, be dedicated to either Bill C-33 or to the study of aviation safety and security, to be determined by the full Standing Committee.

4. That additional meetings be considered for hearings on studies other than legislation (e.g. airport noise, Air Canada Public Participation Act (ACPPA), aviation safety and security, etc.), at a time to be agreed upon by the full Standing Committee.

5. That the list of potential witnesses for the study of the recall and manufacture of vehicles manufactured by the Toyota Motor Corporation be considered for the study of Bill C-511, and that the budget be re-allocated as necessary.

6. That the Subcommittee recommend the following subjects for future study:

– airport competitiveness;

– arctic and northern shipping (sovereignty);

– replacement program for the Building Canada program post-2014;

– issues related to Quebec bridges; and

– competition and service delivery in the rail industry.

It was agreed, — That the Committee hold an extra meeting each week on Tuesdays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for hearings on studies other than legislation.

It was agreed, — That the Committee investigate the possibility of rescheduling the site visit to Bombardier in La Pocatière, Quebec, and potentially other sites in Europe, in relation to the study of high speed rail.

It was agreed, — That the Committee invite the Minister of Public Safety and departmental officials to appear on Tuesday, February 15, 2011, or a later date if unavailable, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in relation to the study of aviation safety and security, specifically new policy decisions.

It was agreed, — That the Committee invite officials from CATSA and witnesses from the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) to appear in relation to the study of aviation safety and security, specifically new policy decisions.

It was agreed, — That the Committee plan hearings on Bill C-33 as follows:

– departmental officials, and possibly others, on Thursday, February 10, 2011;

– Canadian Railway Association, with CN and CP, on Tuesday, February 15, 2011; and

– Urban Transit Authorities and representatives of unions on Thursday, February 17, 2011.

It was agreed, — That the Committee invite the Minister of Transport to appear on Thursday, March 10, 2011, in relation to the Supplementary Estimates (C) 2010-11.

It was agreed, — That the Committee present a report to the House to request that the deadline provided for in Standing Order 97.1 to report Bill C-511 to the House be extended.

It was agreed, — That, in relation to the study of Bill C-33, An Act to amend the Railway Safety Act and to make consequential amendments to the Canada Transportation Act, the proposed budget in the amount of $ 9, 700, for the period of 2010-2011, be adopted.

It was agreed, — That, in relation to the study of Bill C-511, An Act respecting the reporting of motor vehicle information and to amend the Motor Vehicle Safety Act (improving public safety), the proposed budget in the amount of $ 24, 200, for the period of 2010-2011, be adopted.

At 4:21 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 4:30 p.m., the sitting resumed in a televised session.

The Hon. Rob Merrifield made a statement and, with Luc Bourdon, answered questions.

At 5:30 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.