Minister Garneau’s appearance before the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities (TRAN) on Main Estimates 2020-21 and Supplementary Estimates (B), 2020-21 held on November 5, 2020

2. SCENARIO NOTE

Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities (TRAN)

Date: Thursday, November 5, 2020

Time: 3:30PM – 5:30-PM (Minister Garneau only available for the 1st hour)

Location: Webcast through Zoom (televised meeting)

Subject: 2020-2021 Main Estimates and 2020-2021 Supplementary Estimates (B)

Witnesses:

  • Hon. Marc Garneau, P.C., M.P., Minister of Transport
  • Michael Kennan, Deputy Minister
  • Ryan Pilgrim, Chief Financial Officer
  • Kevin Brosseau, Assistant Deputy Minister, Safety and Security
  • Anuradha Marisetti, Assistant Deputy Minister, Programs
  • Lawrence Hanson, Assistant Deputy Minister, Policy

Opening Remarks: Minister to deliver remarks (5 mins)

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):

  1. Conservative Party
  2. Liberal Party
  3. Bloc Québecois
  4. New Democratic Party

For the second and subsequent rounds, time allocation is as follows (25 mins):

  1. Conservative (5 mins);
  2. Liberal (5 mins);
  3. Bloc Québecois (2.5 mins);
  4. New Democratic Party (2.5 mins);
  5. Conservative (5 mins);
  6. 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:

  1. That the committee invite the Minister of Transport and the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, to appear, at their earliest convenience, in relation to the study of the Main Estimates 2020-21, the Departmental Plans 2020-21 and the Supplementary Estimates (B).
  1. That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee undertake a study on Transport Canada’s aircraft certification process, including, but not limited to, the nature of Transport Canada’s relationship to the Federal Aviation Administration and other certifying bodies, as well as the role of airplane manufacturers in the certification process; that no fewer than two meetings be set aside 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.
  1. That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee undertake a broad study on the impact of COVID-19 on the aviation sector; and that no fewer than eight meetings be set aside for this study, and that the impact of the Air Transat sale on the sector be the first item considered as part of the study.
  1. That, an order of the Committee be issued for the production of Transport Canada’s reports, documents, memoranda, notes and other records relating to the sale of Air Transat and that they be delivered to the Clerk of the Committee within 30  days following the adoption of this motion.

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.

The Committee has voiced interest in re-adopting the Bus Safety Report tabled in June 2019. If re-adopted and re-tabled in Parliament, a Government Response could be requested.