TRAN Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities met in camera at 3:35 p.m. this day, in Room 209, West Block, the Chair, Mervin C. Tweed, presiding.

It was agreed, — That members send suggested witnesses for the study of Bill C-37, An Act to amend the National Capital Act and other Acts, and the study of Bill C-310, An Act to Provide Certain Rights to Air Passengers, to the Clerk of the Committee, by Friday, October 9, 2009.

It was agreed, — That the Committee's meetings on October 19, 21, 26, and 28, 2009, be dedicated to Bill C-37, An Act to amend the National Capital Act and other Acts, and that on October 19, Minister Baird appear for one hour, followed by the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society in the second hour, followed by other stakeholders on the other dates.

It was agreed, — That the Committee's meeting on November 2, 2009, be dedicated to Bill C-310, An Act to Provide Certain Rights to Air Passengers, and that Jim Maloway, MP, be invited to appear in the first hour, followed by the National Airlines Council of Canada in the second hour.

It was agreed, — That the scheduling of further meetings on Bill C-310, An Act to Provide Certain Rights to Air Passengers, and clause-by-clause consideration for Bill C-37, An Act to amend the National Capital Act and other Acts, be further considered at a later date.

It was agreed, — That Purolator Courier Ltd. be invited to appear on the study of the Management and Operation of Canada Post.

It was agreed, — That the Committee engage the services of Statistics Canada for the period of June to October 2009 for a total amount not to exceed $ 4000 to assist the Committee in its study of high speed rail in Canada; the contractor is to provide the following services to the Committee: Population estimates and projections sourced from unpublished data in a custom tabulation for the following three corridors: Edmonton-Red Deer-Calgary, Quebec-Montreal-Toronto-Windsor, and Montreal-Ottawa-Toronto.

It was agreed, — That the proposed budget in the amount of $ 4000, for the period of June to October 2009 be adopted and that the Chair present the said budget to the Budget Subcommittee of the Liaison Committee.

At 4:18 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 4:24 p.m., the Committee resumed sitting in public.

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

1. That the Clerk contact Canada Post and NAV Canada with respect to follow-ups from appearances earlier in the Session.

2. That the Committee continue its study of High Speed Rail in light of information obtained during the Committee’s trip to New York City and Washington, D.C. (e.g. issues such as shared rail, higher-speed rail, connectivity, running rights, rights of way, etc.).

3. That the Clerk invite representatives of Bombardier, CN, CP, and Transport Canada to meet with the Committee on High Speed Rail, and that the Bombardier meeting include a site visit.

4. That the Clerk and the Analysts investigate the cost of adding population density projections for Metro Vancouver to those already requested from Statistics Canada for the following three corridors: Edmonton-Red Deer-Calgary, Quebec-Montreal-Toronto-Windsor, and Montreal-Ottawa-Toronto.

5. That opening witnesses on Bill C-310, the Air Passengers’ Bill of Rights, be heard on October 7, 2009, and that the initial witnesses be selected by the Chair from the list of witnesses suggested by members.

6. That the Clerk contact the Hon. Rob Merrifield, Minister of State (Transport), to plan upcoming appearances on government bills, including the new Service Charter for Canada Post.

It was agreed, — That the Report be amended by replacing the words “October 7” in item number 5 with the words “November 2”.

On motion of Sukh Dhaliwal, it was agreed, — That the Report of the Subcommittee, as amended, be concurred in.

Gerard Kennedy moved, — That the Parliamentary Budget Officer, Kevin Page, be invited to appear before the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities at the earliest opportunity to discuss his knowledge and analysis of the Government’s infrastructure spending.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 4; NAYS: 7.

Gerard Kennedy moved, — That Gordon Landon, York regional Councillor for the Town of Markham, be invited to appear before the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities at the earliest opportunity to discuss his knowledge of the practices of the Conservative Government in regard to riding level spending on infrastructure projects.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 3; NAYS: 8.

At 5:25 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.