Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources

Issue 45 - Minutes of Proceedings - May 23, 2013

OTTAWA, Thursday, May 23, 2013
(75)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources met this day, at 8:03 a.m., in room 257, East Block, the chair, the Honourable Richard Neufeld, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Lang, MacDonald, Massicotte, Mitchell, Neufeld, Patterson, Ringuette, Seidman, Unger and Wallace (10).

In attendance: Marc LeBlanc and Sam Banks, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament; Ceri Au, Communications Officer, Communications Directorate.

Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, November 28, 2012, the committee continued its examination on the current state of the safety elements of the bulk transport of hydrocarbon products in Canada. (For complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 34.)

WITNESSES:

Canadian National Railway Company:

Michael Farkouh, Vice-President, Safety and Sustainability (by video conference);

Sam Berrada, General Manager, Safety and Regulatory Affairs (by video conference).

The chair made an opening statement.

Mr. Farkouh made a statement and, together with Mr. Berrada, answered questions.

At 9:11 a.m., the committee suspended.

At 9:12 a.m., pursuant to rule 12-16(1), the committee continued in camera to consider a draft agenda (future business).

After debate, it was agreed that the draft letters to Ministers Kent and Valcourt concerning Bills S-15 and C-47 be modified and that the final versions be approved by Steering Committee.

At 9:31 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Lynn Gordon

Clerk of the Committee