Transport, Infrastructure and Communities

The committee began with the election of a chair and vice-chairs. Mike Kelloway nominated Peter Schiefke as chair, and the motion was adopted. Stéphane Lauzon nominated Xavier Barsalou‑Duval for second vice-chair, and that motion was also adopted. The committee then agreed to adopt routine motions as a block.

Dan Muys moved that four reports from the previous session—on the Erie Lake Connector, accessible air transportation, high frequency rail, and McKinsey & Company—be retabled and that the government be asked for a comprehensive response. The committee agreed to this.

Dan Albas introduced a motion calling on the government to require BC Ferries to buy Canadian-built ships as a condition of federal transfer payments. Xavier Barsalou‑Duval said he had not received advance notice and moved that the motion simply be introduced for later debate. Stéphane Lauzon then moved to adjourn debate on that motion, which the committee accepted.

The committee turned to Bill C-5. Philip Lawrence proposed that parties submit witness lists by 1 p.m. that day, ranked by priority, so the clerk could schedule hearings efficiently. The committee agreed to this approach, with the understanding that the schedule would depend on the House’s decision on a Bloc amendment regarding the number of hearing hours.