The committee met at 0900 in committee room 1 and by video conference.

Safer School Buses Act, 2021 Loi de 2021 pour des autobus scolaires plus sécuritaires

Consideration of the following bill:

Bill 246, An Act to amend the Highway Traffic Act / Projet de loi 246, Loi modifiant le Code de la route.

The Vice-Chair (M^me Lucille Collard): Good morning, everyone. The Standing Committee on Justice Policy will now come to order. We are here for clause-by-clause consideration of Bill 246, An Act to amend the Highway Traffic Act.

We have the following members in the room, MPP Lindsey Park and MPP Nina Tangri, and the following members participating remotely: MPP Bouma, MPP Kusendova, MPP Morrison, MPP Triantafilopoulos, MPP Harris and MPP Thanigasalam.

We are also joined by Bradley Warden from the office of legislative counsel, as well as staff from Hansard and broadcast and recording.

To make sure that everyone can follow along, it’s important that all participants speak slowly and clearly. Please wait until I recognize you and that you are unmuted before starting to speak. As always, all comments should go through the Chair.

The Clerk has distributed the amendment package to all members and staff electronically. If a member indicates that they wish to move additional amendments, we will take a short recess to allow the member to consult with legislative counsel to draft a motion.

Are there any questions before we begin? Seeing none, we will now begin the clause-by-clause consideration of Bill 246.

I see that we have, on page 1 of the package, an amendment from the government.

Interjection.

The Vice-Chair (M^me Lucille Collard): Sorry, are there any comments, questions or amendments to any section of the bill, and if so, to which section? MPP Harris, go ahead.

Mr. Mike Harris: We have various motions here before us. Did you want me to go through them all now, or how did you want to proceed?

The Vice-Chair (M^me Lucille Collard): We have to go and deal with each individually.

Mr. Mike Harris: Okay, so section 1 to start?

The Vice-Chair (M^me Lucille Collard): Yes, so section 1 on page 1.

Mr. Mike Harris: Perfect. I move that section 1 of the bill be amended by adding the following subsection:

“(0.1) The definition of ‘school bus’ in subsection 175(1) of the Highway Traffic Act is repealed and the following substituted:

“‘“school bus” means a bus that,

“‘(a) is painted chrome yellow,

“‘(b) displays on the front and rear thereof the words “school bus”, and

“‘(c) displays on the rear thereof the words “do not pass when signals flashing” or “do not pass when red lights flashing”. (“autobus scolaire”)’”

This will include “autobus scolaire” in that; you should have all that.

The Vice-Chair (M^me Lucille Collard): Okay. Is there any debate on section 1 of the bill, on the amendment? No debate? Are members ready to vote?

Interjection.

The Vice-Chair (M^me Lucille Collard): It would be useful to have your video up so we can see the show of hands for the vote.

So members are ready to vote? Please, if you are in favour. All those opposed, please raise your hands. I declare the motion carried.

We can move on to the next motion from the government, page 2. MPP Harris?

Mr. Mike Harris: I move that section 1 of the bill be amended by adding the following subsection:

“(0.2) Subsection 175(3.1) of the act is repealed and the following substituted:

“‘Same

“‘(3.1) If all or part of a bus operated under the authority of a permit issued under subsection 7(7) is painted chrome yellow, the bus shall display,

“‘(a) on its front and rear the words “school bus”; and

“‘(b) on its rear,

“‘(i) the words “do not pass when signals flashing”, if the … bus was manufactured before January l, 2005, or

“‘(ii) the words “do not pass when red”’” signals “‘“flashing” if the school bus was manufactured on or after January 1, 2005.’”

The Vice-Chair (M^me Lucille Collard): Is there any debate on the motion? Are members ready to vote? All those in favour, please raise your hand. All those opposed, please raise your hand. I declare the motion carried.

Moving on to page 3, the third motion, moved by the government—

Mrs. Nina Tangri: If they’re going to share the screen, can they change to the next amendment?

The Vice-Chair (M^me Lucille Collard): Oh, yes, of course. Thank you.

MPP Harris.

Mr. Mike Harris: I move that section 1 of the bill be amended by adding the following subsection:

“(0.3) Subsection 175(4) of the act is repealed and the following substituted:

“‘School bus signs

“‘(4) No motor vehicle on a highway, other than a school bus, shall,

“‘(a) have the words “school bus”, “do not pass when signals flashing” or “do not pass when red lights flashing” displayed on the motor vehicle; or

“‘(b) be equipped with a school bus stop arm.’”

The Vice-Chair (M^me Lucille Collard): Is there any debate on the motion? Are members ready to vote? All those in favour, please raise your hand. All those opposed, please raise your hand. I declare the motion carried.

I see that we are joined by MPP Yarde. MPP Yarde, could you just confirm who you are and where you’re calling from?

Mr. Kevin Yarde: I’m at Queen’s Park, and I’m MPP Kevin Yarde.

The Vice-Chair (M^me Lucille Collard): Thank you very much. Just for your information, then: We’re on page 4, for the next government motion. MPP Harris.

Mr. Mike Harris: I move that subsection 1(3) of the bill be struck out and the following substituted:

“(3) Subsection 175(6) of the act is amended by striking out ‘red’ wherever it appears.”

The Vice-Chair (M^me Lucille Collard): Any debate on the motion? Are members ready to vote? All those in favour, please raise your hand. All those opposed, please raise your hand. I declare the motion carried.

Moving to page 5, a motion by the government: MPP Harris.

Mr. Mike Harris: I move that subsection 1(4) of the bill be struck out.

The Vice-Chair (M^me Lucille Collard): Any debate on the motion? Are members ready to vote? All those in favour, please raise your hand. All those opposed, please raise your hand. I declare the motion carried.

Moving along with page 6: another motion by the government. MPP Harris.

Mr. Mike Harris: I move that subsection 1(5) of the bill be struck out.

The Vice-Chair (M^me Lucille Collard): Any debate on the motion? Are members ready to vote? All those in favour, please raise your hand. All those opposed, please raise your hand. I declare the motion carried.

Moving to page 7, a motion by the government: MPP Harris.

Mr. Mike Harris: I move that subsection 1(6) of the bill be struck out and the following substituted:

“(6) Subsection 175(8) of the act is amended by striking out ‘red’.”

The Vice-Chair (M^me Lucille Collard): Any debate on the motion? Are members ready to vote? All those in favour, please raise your hand. All those opposed, please raise your hand. I declare the motion carried.

0910

Moving on to page 8: a motion by the government. MPP Harris.

Mr. Mike Harris: I move that section 1 of the bill be amended by adding the following subsection:

“(6.1) Subsection 175(9) of the act is amended by striking out ‘red’ in the portion before clause (a).”

The Vice-Chair (M^me Lucille Collard): Thank you. Any debate on the motion? Are members ready to vote? All those in favour, please raise your hand. All those opposed, please raise your hand. I declare the motion carried.

On page 9 we have another motion by the government. MPP Harris.

Mr. Mike Harris: I move that subsection 1(7) of the bill be struck out.

The Vice-Chair (M^me Lucille Collard): Thank you. Any debate on the motion? Are members ready to vote? All those in favour, please raise your hand. All those opposed, please raise your hand. I declare the motion carried.

MPP Harris, could I ask you to reread motion number 2? There was a word that might have been missing, so we need to get the record accurate. If you don’t mind going back to motion number 2.

Mr. Mike Harris: Sure. I move that section 1 of the bill be amended by adding the following subsection:

“(0.2) Subsection 175(3.1) of the act is repealed and the following substituted:

“‘Same

“‘(3.1) If all or part of a bus operated under the authority of a permit issued under subsection 7(7) is painted chrome yellow, the bus shall display,

“‘(a) on its front and rear the words “school bus”; and

“‘(b) on its rear,

“‘(i) the words “do not pass when signals flashing”, if the school bus was manufactured before January l, 2005, or

“‘(ii) the words “do not pass when red lights flashing” if the school bus was manufactured on or after January 1, 2005.’”

The Vice-Chair (M^me Lucille Collard): Thank you for this.

We are done with section 1. Is there any debate on section 1, as amended? Are members ready to vote on section 1, as amended? Those in favour, please raise your hand. Those opposed, please raise your hand. I declare section 1, as amended, carried.

I’m told that MPP Singh just joined us. Can you please identify yourself? If you could just state your name and confirm where you’re calling from, MPP Singh.

Mr. Gurratan Singh: Gurratan Singh, calling from Ontario.

The Vice-Chair (M^me Lucille Collard): Thank you.

We’re going to proceed with the last amendment from the government. MPP Harris?

Mr. Mike Harris: I move that section 2 of the bill be amended by striking out “September 1” and substituting “July 1”.

The Vice-Chair (M^me Lucille Collard): Thank you. Any debate on the motion? Are members ready to vote? All those in favour, please raise your hand. All those opposed, please raise your hand. I declare the motion carried.

Shall section 2 of the bill carry? Or is there any debate on section 2?

Interjection.

The Vice-Chair (M^me Lucille Collard): Of course. Shall section 2, as amended, carry? Any debate? Are members ready to vote? All those in favour, please raise your hand. All those opposed, please raise your hand. I declare section 2, as amended, carried.

There were no amendments to section 3, but is there any debate on section 3 as is? Are members ready to vote on section 3? All those in favour, please raise your hand. All those opposed, please raise your hand. I declare section 3 carried.

We now have to move to the adoption of the title of the bill. Shall the title of the bill carry? Any debate on the title of the bill? Are members ready to vote? All those in favour, please raise your hand. All those opposed, please raise your hand. I declare the title of the bill carried.

Shall Bill 246 carry, as amended? Any debate on this issue? Are members ready to vote? All those in favour, please raise your hand. All those opposed, please raise your hand. I declare that Bill 246, as amended, is carried.

Shall I report the bill, as amended, to the House? All those in favour, please raise your hand. All those opposed, please raise your hand. Thank you. We will be reporting the bill to the House.

This is the end of the meeting, so thank you, everyone. That concludes the business of the day. That was a pretty expeditious one—very efficient, thank you. The committee is now adjourned. Enjoy the rest of your day.

The committee adjourned at 0917.

STANDING COMMITTEE ON JUSTICE POLICY

Chair / Président

Mr. Daryl Kramp (Hastings–Lennox and Addington PC)

Vice-Chair / Vice-Présidente

M^me Lucille Collard (Ottawa–Vanier L)

Mr. Will Bouma (Brantford–Brant PC)

M^me Lucille Collard (Ottawa–Vanier L)

Mr. Parm Gill (Milton PC)

Mr. Daryl Kramp (Hastings–Lennox and Addington PC)

Ms. Natalia Kusendova (Mississauga Centre / Mississauga-Centre PC)

Ms. Suze Morrison (Toronto Centre / Toronto-Centre ND)

Ms. Lindsey Park (Durham PC)

Mr. Gurratan Singh (Brampton East / Brampton-Est ND)

Mrs. Nina Tangri (Mississauga–Streetsville PC)

Ms. Effie J. Triantafilopoulos (Oakville North–Burlington / Oakville-Nord–Burlington PC)

Mr. Kevin Yarde (Brampton North / Brampton-Nord ND)

Substitutions / Membres remplaçants

Mr. Mike Harris (Kitchener–Conestoga PC)

Mr. Vijay Thanigasalam (Scarborough–Rouge Park PC)

Clerk / Greffière

Ms. Thushitha Kobikrishna

Staff / Personnel

Mr. Bradley Warden, legislative counsel