TRAN Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities met at 3:34 p.m. this day, in Room 269, West Block, the Chair, Merv Tweed, presiding.

The Committee commenced its clause-by-clause study of the Bill.

By unanimous consent, it was agreed, — That the Committee reserve the right to revert to Clause 1 after all other clauses are decided.

The Chair called Clause 1.

““management system” means a documented process for managing risk that integrates operations and technical systems with the management of financial and human resources, in order to reduce risks to the lowest possible level and make continuous improvement to aviation safety and the safety of the public;”

Debate arose thereon.

By unanimous consent, the subamendment was withdrawn.

Brian Jean moved, — That the amendment be amended:

(a) by replacing the words “for managing risk ” with the word “management”; and

(b) by deleting all the words after the words “and human resources”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Mario Laframboise and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 8; NAYS: 3.

Clause 1, as amended, carried.

On Clause 2,

“(a) promoting and providing for aviation safety and security;”

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Mario Laframboise and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 8; NAYS: 3.

By unanimous consent, the amendment was withdrawn.

“security of their activities under this Act;”

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Mario Laframboise and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 8; NAYS: 3.

“3.2 In the event of any inconsistency between the provisions of this Act or anything issued, made or established under this Act, and the provisions of any other Act of Parliament, the provisions of that other Act prevail to the extent of the inconsistency.”

After debate, by unanimous consent, the amendment was withdrawn.

“3.2 In the event of any inconsistency between the provisions of this Act or anything issued, made or established under this Act, and the provisions of the Canada Labour Code, the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, 1992 or the Canadian Transportation Accident Investigation and Safety Board Act, the provisions of that Act prevail to the extent of the inconsistency.”

At 4:38 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 4:42 p.m., the sitting resumed.

Peter Julian moved, — That the Committee undertake a study on Air Canada’s decision to lay-off 867 heavy maintenance positions at its Vancouver facility and to shift maintenance services to foreign low-cost facilities with a particular focus on the transfer of maintenance expertise out of Canada, the loss of jobs and the effect on the heavy maintenance industry and aviation safety standards and report the findings of the study to the House as soon as possible.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 3; NAYS: 7.

It was agreed, — That the Chair draft a letter inviting Air Canada to appear to discuss various issues pertaining to the aviation industry for review by the Committee.

Mauril Bélanger moved, — That the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities report to the House of Commons the following:

That the Committee recommend that Government issue a directive to Canada Post Corporation pursuant to the Minister of Transport’s authority under Section 22 of the Canada Post Corporation Act and in accordance with the Financial Administration Act, stating that:

i) The Corporation shall, at its option, either discontinue, withdraw or consent to a judicial stay of proceedings in respect of allegations or judicial findings that entities have or continue to violate the exclusive privilege in Section 14 of the Canada Post Corporation Act with respect to letters intended for delivery outside of Canada and, where an injunction has been issued with respect to letters intended for delivery outside of Canada, the Corporation shall consent to an application brought to dissolve such an injunction, until the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities has the opportunity of reviewing the matter and formulating recommendations to the government and Canada Post,

ii) The Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities conduct this review of section 14 of the Canada Post Corporation Act by end of 2007.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to on the following recorded division: YEAS: Mauril Bélanger, Don H. Bell, Ed Fast, Brian Jean, Brian Storseth, Lui Temelkovski, Jeff Watson, Paul Zed — 8; NAYS: Robert Carrier, Peter Julian, Mario Laframboise — 3.

It was agreed, — That the proposed budget in the amount of $ 18,200, for the study on rail safety be adopted.

At 5:13 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.