Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities (TRAN)
Date: Thursday, May 13, 2021
Time: 3:30PM – 5:30-PM (Ministers only available for the 1st hour)
Location: Webcast through Zoom (televised meeting)
Subject: Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 Tragedy
Witnesses:
Transport Canada
- Hon. Omar Alghabra, P.C., M.P., Minister of Transport
- Kevin Brosseau, Assistant Deputy Minister, Safety and Security
- John Velho, Director, Passenger Protect Program & Targeting Operations
- Patrick Juneau, Director, Aviation Safety Policy and Intelligence
Global Affairs Canada
- Hon. Marc Garneau, P.C., M.P., Minister of Foreign Affairs
- Sandra McCardell, Assistant Deputy Minister, Europe, Arctic, Middle East & Maghreb
- Michelle Cameron, Head, PS752 Task Force
- Brian Szwarc, Director General, Consular Operations
PCO
- Jeff Yaworski, Senior Advisor, Office of the National Security and Intelligence Advisor to the Prime Minister
Opening Remarks: Ministers to deliver 5 mins opening remarks each
Question of witnesses:
For the first round of questioning, six (6) minutes (for both question and answer) to a representative of each party in the following order (24 mins):
- Conservative Party
- Liberal Party
- Bloc Québecois
- New Democratic Party
For the second and subsequent rounds, time allocation is as follows (25 mins):
- Conservative (5 mins);
- Liberal (5 mins);
- Bloc Québecois (2.5 mins);
- New Democratic Party (2.5 mins);
- Conservative (5 mins);
- Liberal (5 mins).
About TRAN:
The Committee reconvened on October 13, 2020 following the opening of the 2nd Session of the 43rd Parliament. Committee membership is aligned with the distribution of seats in the House of Commons (6 Liberals, 4 Conservatives, 1 Bloc, 1 NDP). MP Vance Badawey (Liberal) is the Chair. MP Stephanie Kusie (Conservative) is the first Vice-Chair and MP Barsalou-Duval (Bloc Québécois) is the second Vice-Chair.
The Committee can study any aspect of the management and operations of Transport Canada and Infrastructure Canada, as well as any legislation, programs or policy areas administered by the Minister of Transport and the Minister of Infrastructure.
TC-related motions before the Committee adopted during the second session of the 43rd Parliament include:
That in light of the numerous rail disasters that have occurred since the Committee last studied rail safety in 2016, and given projected increases in the volumes of dangerous goods transported through some regions of Canada, the committee commit to a follow-up study focusing on Canadian rail safety, including but not limited to the transport of dangerous goods, emergency response capacity and efficacy, and labour conditions for workers in the sector; that the study identify measures that can be taken by the federal government to improve rail safety; that the study consider impacts on the surrounding communities in which they operate; that the committee include the evidence and documentation from its study on the Follow-up Audit on Rail Safety; and that the study conclude in four meetings or fewer.
That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee undertake a study of one meeting on the issues arising from aeronautical circular AC 700-048 on the use of Twin Otter-type aircraft on short runways; that the Committee invite witnesses including Transport Canada, the Canadian Federation of Outfitter Associations, Viking Air and Air Inuit to appear at this meeting; and that this meeting be held as soon as possible taking into consideration other committee business.
Active Studies at Dissolution
Due to the pandemic, after three meetings the study on Aircraft Certification Process was interrupted by dissolution. In the new session a motion was adopted to set aside not more than two meetings for this study; and that the evidence and documentation received by the committee during the first session of the 43rd Parliament on the subject be taken into consideration by the committee in the current session.
Committee activity within the last year
From February 2020 to June 2020, the Committee held three meetings on Aircraft Certification Process, one meeting on the Mandate of the Minister of Transport and one meeting on the Ministers' Spending Priorities.
Since the start of the Second Session of the 43rd Parliament, the Committee has been very busy resuming and concluding the study on the aircraft certification process. The Committee is currently considering a draft report. It's expected that a Government Response will be requested.
Additionally, the Committee has so far held eight meetings on the impact of COVID-19 on the aviation sector. TC officials have appeared in December. The Feb 18 meeting concluded this study. The Committee is currently considering a draft report. It's expected that a Government Response will be requested.
Since Transport Canada’s last appearance before the Committee on March 25, the Committee has held a meeting on the Follow-up Audit on Rail Safety, one meeting on the Main Estimates 2021-2022 and six meetings on targeted infrastructure investment.