MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OTTAWA, Wednesday, May 8, 2024 (87) [English] The Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications met this day at 6:47 p.m., in room B45, Senate of Canada Building, the chair, the Honourable Leo Housakos, presiding. Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Clement, Dasko, Housakos, Miville - Dechêne, Quinn and Simons (6). Other senators present: The Honourable Senators Cuzner and Robinson (2). Participating in the meeting: Khamla Heminthavong, Analyst, Library of Parliament. Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, the committee continued its consideration of Bill S-273,

An Act to declare the Chignecto Isthmus Dykeland System and related works to be for the general advantage of Canada. WITNESSES: Infrastructure Canada: Annie Geoffr oy, Director General, Regional Programs, Operations and Engagement, Communities and Infrastructure Programs Branch; Shawn Hibbard, Director General (Major Bridges and Projects), Investment, Partnerships and Innovation; Rachel Heft, Legal Counsel. Public Services and Procurement Canada: Stefan Dery, Director General, Infrastructure Asset Management; Mani Taheri, Legal Counsel (by videoconference).

As individuals: Andrew Leach, Professor, Faculty of Arts (Economics) and Faculty of Law, University of Alberta (by videoconference); Emmett Macfarlane, Professor, Department of Political Science, University of Waterloo (by videoconference); Nicole O ’Byrne, Associate Profe ssor, Faculty of Law, University of New Brunswick (by videoconference). Stefan Dery, Annie Geoffroy, Shawn Hibbard, Rachel Heft and Mani Taheri answered questions. At 7:49 p.m., the committee suspended. At 7:54 p.m., the committee resumed. Nicole O’Byrne, Andrew Leach and Emmett Macfarlane each made a statement and answered questions.

At 8:45 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair. ATTEST: Angus Wilson Clerk of the Committee