Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Transport and Communications
Issue 21 - Evidence - June 15, 2005
OTTAWA, Wednesday, June 15, 2005
The Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications, to which was referred Bill S-31, to authorize construction and maintenance of a bridge over the St. Lawrence River and a bridge over the Beauharnois Canal for the purpose of completing Highway 30, met this day at 6:17 p.m. to give clause-by-clause consideration to the bill.
Senator Joan Fraser (Chairman) in the chair.
[English]
The Chairman: Honourable senators, the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications is meeting this evening to continue its consideration of Bill S-31, following which we shall proceed in camera on our study of the news media.
We heard from the Minister of Transport on this bill last Wednesday, June 8. At that time, I indicated that the deputy chair and I had written to the Government of Quebec requesting its comments on the bill. We also invited the government to appear before us if they wished to do so. We have now received a letter from the Minister of Transport of Quebec, which I believe has been circulated. I shall now read it for the record.
[Translation]
The letter is dated June 14, 2005 and is from Mr. Michel Després, Minister of Transport and Minister responsible for the National Capital Region. It reads as follows:
Madam Chair:
I acknowledge receipt of your letter of June 7 inviting me to appear before the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications in conjunction with its study of Bill S-31, a very important piece of draft legislation for Quebec.
Unfortunately, I am unable to appear in person before your committee. I would, however, like to share with you my comments on the bill.
The completion of Highway 30 will provide the missing link in the road network and make is easier for commuters to by-pass Montreal. In this respect, the project is critical to Quebec's ongoing economic development. The link cannot be completed without the construction of bridges over the St. Lawrence Rivers and Beauharnois Canal. Therefore, I am delighted that the Government of Canada has tabled this bill and I hope it is adopted and enacted as soon as possible.
Yours truly,
Signed Michel Després.
[English]
There is a page of commentary attached, which I believe you have, honourable senators. Unless someone wishes to have that read into the record, it is not essential to do so.
As you know, the notice for this meeting said we would proceed with clause-by-clause consideration of the bill.
Senator Nolin: Have the officials read that letter and the commentaries attached to it?
The Chairman: Perhaps we could ask the officials to come to the table.
Senator Nolin: There are some understandings implied by the minister. We should ensure that we are not approving this bill if there are misunderstandings. I draw your attention to the last paragraph, the meeting of regulations.
[Translation]
The Chairman: When I read the letter, I thought it confirmed exactly what the Minister of Transport, Mr. Lapierre, had said. However, the question is quite valid.
Senator De Bané, have you read the letter sent to us by Quebec's Minister of Transport? I believe you have a copy of it. We are asking officials to read it, just to confirm that there are no surprises. At least, I hope there are none.
Ms. Evelyn Marcoux, Director General, Surface Programs, Surface Programs and Divestiture, Transport Canada: We have read the letter and it is consistent with the text of the bill. Our interpretation is the same.
The Chairman: Indeed. As I said, I thought the letter merely confirmed what Transport Minister Lapierre had told us.
Ms. Marcoux: That is correct.
Mr. Pierre Woods, Legal Counsel, Crown Corporation Secratariat, Transport Canada: Yes, Madam Chairman.
Mr. Régent Dickey, Manager, East, Highways and Borders, Surface Programs, Surface Programs and Divestiture, Transport Canada: Yes.
The Chairman: Thank you ever so much. Are there any further questions for our expert witnesses? Apparently not.
[English]
Honourable senators, is it then agreed that the committee proceed to clause-by-clause consideration of Bill S-31?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chairman: Shall the title stand postponed?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chairman: Shall clause 1, which contains the short title, stand postponed?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chairman: Shall clause 2 carry?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chairman: I shall group the remaining clauses, senators. Shall clauses 2 through 5 carry?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chairman: Shall clause 1, which contains the short title, carry?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chairman: Shall the title carry?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chairman: Shall the bill carry?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chairman: Shall I report the bill to the Senate without amendment?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The committee continued in camera.