TRAN Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities met at 11:06 a.m. this day, in Room 228, La Promenade Building, the Chair, Larry Miller, presiding.

Olivia Chow moved, — That the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities conduct a study on the subject matter of the sections of Bill C-45, An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on March 29, 2012 and other measures, which directly fall within the mandate of this committee, especially the changes proposed to the Navigable Waters Protection Act and its ramifications for pipeline crossing reviews and the integrity of Canada’s streams and lakes; and that the Committee report this motion to the House.

Debate arose thereon.

Olivia Chow moved, — That the motion be amended by adding after the word “lakes;” the following: “that the Committee hold a four (4) hour meeting on Tuesday, November 6, 2012, for the purpose of this study; ”.

The question was put on the amendment of Olivia Chow and it was negatived on the following recorded division: YEAS: Robert Aubin, Olivia Chow, Denis Coderre, Isabelle Morin, Mike Sullivan — 5; NAYS: Mark Adler, Joe Daniel, Ed Holder, Pierre Poilievre, Lawrence Toet, Jeff Watson — 6.

The question was put on the motion and it was negatived on the following recorded division:YEAS: Robert Aubin, Olivia Chow, Denis Coderre, Isabelle Morin, Mike Sullivan — 5; NAYS: Mark Adler, Joe Daniel, Ed Holder, Pierre Poilievre, Lawrence Toet, Jeff Watson — 6.

It was agreed, — That the Committee undertake a study, as requested by the Standing Committee on Finance in their motion adopted on Wednesday, October 31, 2012, into the subject matter of clauses 156 to 165, 179 to 184, 316 to 350 and 411 to 424, and schedules 1 and 2 of Bill C-45, A second Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on March 29, 2012 and other measures and provide the Standing Committee on Finance with recommendations, including any suggested amendments, in both official languages, no later than 5 p.m. on Tuesday, November 20, 2012.

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

Your Subcommittee met on Tuesday, October 30, 2012, to consider « How Competition Can Make Infrastructure Dollars Go Further » and agreed to propose the following items for consideration:

1. Red Tape reduction

2. More bidders for federally-funded projects

3. Increased private sector infrastructure

Debate arose thereon.

Olivia Chow moved, — That in the infrastructure study, the Committee consider infrastructure programs of other countries, such as Germany, the U.S. and Australia, and that the study be reported to the House of Commons.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Olivia Chow and it was negatived on the following recorded division: YEAS: Robert Aubin, Olivia Chow, Isabelle Morin, Mike Sullivan — 4; NAYS: Mark Adler, Denis Coderre, Joe Daniel, Ed Holder, Pierre Poilievre, Lawrence Toet, Jeff Watson — 7.

On motion of Denis Coderre, it was agreed, — That the Report be amended by replacing the word “More” in the second point with the words “Contract allocation process to increase”.

The report, as amended, read as follows:

Your Subcommittee met on Tuesday, October 30, 2012, to consider « How Competition Can Make Infrastructure Dollars Go Further » and agreed to propose the following items for consideration:

1. Red Tape reduction

2. Contract allocation process to increase bidders for federally-funded projects

3. Increased private sector infrastructure

The question: "That the report of the Subcommittee, as amended, be concurred in" was put and was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 7; NAYS: 0.

At 12:08 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.