Tab-D: Standing committee member profiles

Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
43rd Parliament, 1st session

Chair:
Vance Badawey (Liberal)
First Vice-Chair:
Todd Doherty (Conservative)
Second Vice-Chair:
Xavier Barsalou-Duval (Bloc Quebecois)
Other members:
Taylor Bachrach (NDP)
Tony Baldinelli (Conservative)
Luc Berthold (Conservative)
Chris Bittle (Liberal)
Scot Davidson (Conservative)
Fayçal El-Khoury (Liberal)
Helena Jaczek (Liberal)
Churence Rogers (Liberal)
Maninder Sidhu (Liberal)
Committee appearance
4:30 pm to 5:30 pm (1 hour)
Opening Statements
10 minutes
1st Round of Questions:
6 minutes for each party in this order: CPC, Lib, BQ, NDP
2nd Round of Questions and subsequent rounds:
CPC (5 minutes);
Lib (5 minutes);
CPC (5 minutes);
Lib (5 minutes);
BQ (2.5 minutes); and
Vance Badawey

Vance Badawey
Liberal

Constituency:
Niagara Center, Ontario

Relevant infrastructure projects

  • Sample projects in the area of Niagara Centre:
    • South West Integrated Fibre Technology (SWIFT) Network ($63,694,444)
    • 2021 Canada Games ($29,000,000)
    • Edgar-Elgin Sewer Separation & Watermain Replacement Project ($4,000,000)

Election to the House of Commons

  • First elected in 2015. Re-elected in 2019.

Profesional background

  • Family business owner
  • Mayor for the City of Port Colborne (1997 – 2003, 2006 – 2014)
  • City councillor for the City of Port Colborne (1994 – 1997)

Other committee Roles (past and present)

  • Member, Standing Committee on Transport Infrastructure and Communities (2016 – 2019)
  • Vice-Chair, Standing Joint Committee for the Scrutiny of Regulations (2017 – 2019)

Points of interest to INFC/RED

  • In January 2020, voted against the Conservative Opposition Motion calling for an audit of the government’s “Investing in Canada Plan”.
  • He held information sessions in his riding regarding the Smart Cities Challenge, and used #SmartCitiesNiagara hashtag on Twitter.
  • At committee during the 42nd Parliament (2015-2019):
    • Asked if there was emergency funding for the Forks Road bridge in his riding.
    • Asked Minister Champagne to speak on sustainable funding envelopes for communities and businesses.
    • Asked DM Kelly Gillis what the biggest obstacle the federal government faces to complete projects on time.
    • Asked which investment mechanisms, allocation-based or application-based, were proving more useful for infrastructure projects.
    • Inquired about possible infrastructure projects to alleviate congestion and optimize trade corridors across South-Eastern Ontario. Specifically regarding the supply chain and possible infrastructure investment in bridges, ports, and roadways connecting Ontario and QuebAec with the Northeast United States.
Todd Doherty

Todd Doherty
Conservative

Constituency:
Cariboo-Prince George, British Columbia

Relevant infrastructure projects

  • Sample projects in the area of Cariboo–Prince George:
    • Highway 16 - Passing Lanes and Intersection Bundle Project ($16,107,426)
    • Highway 16 - Bunce Road to Blackwater Road 4-Laning ($8,400,000)
    • Highway 97 - Racing Road and Quesnel-Hydraulic Road Intersection Improvements ($7,706,291)

Election to the House of Commons

  • First elected in 2015. Re-elected in 2019.

Professional background

  • Small business owner[redacted]
  • Aviation executive
  • [redacted]
  • Worked with industry, provincial and federal governments in global promotion of national trade, tourism and aviation opportunities.
  • [redacted]

Political and parliamentary roles

  • Conservative Party Critic for Transport
  • Previously opposition critic for Fisheries and Oceans (42nd Parliament)

Other committee roles (past and present)

  • Member, Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans (2017 – 2019)
  • Member, Standing Committee on Library of Parliament (2016 – 2017)

Points of interest to INFC/RED

  • In January 2020 voted in support of the Conservative Opposition Motion calling for an audit of the government’s “Investing in Canada Plan”.
Xavier Barsalou-Duval

Xavier Barsalou-Duval
Bloc Québécois

Constituency:
Pierre—Boucher—Les Patriotes—Verchères

Relevant infrastructure projects

  • Sample projects in the area of Pierre—Boucher—Les Patriotes—Verchères:
    • Development of the De Mortagne incentive parking lot ($1,346,000)
    • Construction of a community centre ($814,177)
    • Construction of a service building at Parc Passe-Partout ($191,331)

Election to the House of Commons

  • First elected in 2015. Re-elected in 2019

Professional background

  • President, Bloc Québécois Youth Forum (2011-2015)
  • College instructor in accounting and worked for several years as an auditor.

Political and parliamentary roles

  • BQ critic for Infrastructure and Communities

Other committee roles (past and present)

  • Member, Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans (2017 – 2019)
  • Member, Standing Committee on Library of Parliament (2016 – 2017)

Points of interest to INFC/RED

  • January 2020, voted in support of the Conservative Opposition Motion calling for an audit of the government’s “Investing in Canada Plan”.
    • Cited during the debate that few at the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) speak French and that few in the Infrastructure Minister’s office can speak French.
Taylor Bachrach

Taylor Bachrach
New Democratic Party

Constituency:
Skeena-Bulkley Valley

Relevant infrastructure projects

  • Sample projects in the area of Skeena-Bulkley Valley:
    • Highway 16 Passing Lanes and Intersection Bundle Project ($16,107,426)
    • Potable Water Treatment and Submarine Waterline Replacement Project ($12,058,520)
    • Highway 37 - Nass River Bridge Replacement ($10,677,500)

Election to the House of Commons

  • First elected in 2019.

Professional background

  • Mayor of Smithers, BC (2011- 2019)
  • Municipal councillor, Telkwa, BC (2008-2011)
  • Small business owner; Bachrach Communications
  • Chair of the BC Municipal Climate Leadership Council
  • BC government’s Climate Solutions and Clean Growth Advisory Council and Northern Development Initiative Trust

Political and parliamentary roles

  • NDP critic for Infrastructure and Communities

Points of interest to INFC/RED

  • In January 2020, voted in support of the Conservative Opposition Motion calling for an audit of the government’s “Investing in Canada Plan”.
    • During the debate spoke to the need to create jobs, reduce pollution, and help communities thrive.
  • Supportive of the government’s commitment to $1 million in funds to support BC Bus North.
  • Has advocated for affordable housing and public transit, while trying to grow the local economy.
  • Opposed oil pipeline development.
    • The Northern Gateway twin pipeline project would run through his riding.
  • He is involved with an initiative to build a network of electric vehicle chargers along Highways 5 and 16 from Kamloops to Haida Gwaii.

Other

  • The office of the Wet’suwet’en is in his riding, and the pipeline goes directly through his riding.
Tony Baldinelli

Tony Baldinelli
Conservative

Constituency:
Niagara Falls

Relevant infrastructure projects

  • Sample projects in the area of Niagara Falls:
    • South West Integrated Fibre Technology (SWIFT) Network ($63,694,444)
    • 2021 Canada Games ($29,000,000)
    • Stamford Interceptor Renewal - Phase I (sewer lining & maintenance holds)- located in the City of Niagara Falls ($1,549,667)

Election to the House of Commons

  • First elected in 2019.

Professional background

  • Senior manager of communications and stakeholder relations for the Niagara Parks Commission
  • Public relations, public affairs, at Hill and Knowlton Strategies
  • Political staffer (federal and provincial)

Political and parliamentary roles

  • Deputy Conservative critic for Transport

Points of interest to INFC/RED

  • In January 2020, voted in support of the Conservative Opposition Motion calling for an audit of the government’s “Investing in Canada Plan”.
Luc Berthold

Luc Berthold
Conservative

Constituency:
Mégantic-L'Érable

Relevant infrastructure projects

  • Sample projects in the area of Mégantic-L'Érable:
    • Extension of Highway 35 to the American border - Phase III ($82,091,000)
    • Renewal of water pipes ($996,279)
    • Wastewater collection system rehabilitation in East Broughton ($582,850)

Election to the House of Commons

  • Elected in 2015. Re-elected in 2019

Professional background

  • Mayor of Thetford Mines (2006-2013)
  • Journalist and radio host for CKLD radio
  • Chief Editor of the Courrier Frontenac
  • Political staffer for the provincial government, including Chief of Staff to the Minister of Transport, and political assistant to the Minister of Regional Development and Tourism.
  • Director of Communications for the Quebec Liberal Party
  • Self-employed as a speaker, coach, trainer and provides leadership training sessions

Political and parliamentary roles

  • Conservative critic for Infrastructure and Communities

Other committee roles (past and present)

  • Vice-Chair & Member, Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food (2017-19)
  • Vice-Chair & Member, Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities (2016-17)

Points of interest to INFC/RED

  • In January 2020, led the opposition day motion calling for an audit of the government’s $180 billion infrastructure plan.
    • In the current session he has risen in the House many times to speak to different infrastructure related issues including during Question Period, Adjournment Proceedings, during the Conservative opposition day motion, and as part of the debate on the reply to the Speech from the Throne.
  • In 2019, he campaigned on the need for better wireless connectivity in his riding
Chris Bittle

Chris Bittle
Liberal

Constituency:
St. Catharines

Relevant infrastructure projects

  • Sample projects in the area of St. Catharines:
    • South West Integrated Fibre Technology (SWIFT) Network ($63,694,444)
    • 2021 Canada Games ($29,000,000)
    • Purchase three 60' buses and nine 40' buses to replace existing vehicles for conventional service ($3,850,00)

Election to the House of Commons

  • Elected in 2015. Re-elected in 2019

Professional background

  • Lawyer (civil litigator); Brooks and Welch LLP
  • Seminar leader at Brock University
  • Instructor, Continuing Education, Niagara College
  • Volunteered at the Quest Community Health Centre and with the Courts in the Classroom program

Political and parliamentary roles

  • Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport
  • Deputy Leader of the Government in the House of Commons (2017-2019)

Other committee roles (past and present)

  • Member, Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights (2016-17)
  • Member, Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs (2017-19)

Points of interest to INFC/RED

  • In January 2020, voted against the Conservative Opposition Motion calling for an audit of the government’s “Investing in Canada Plan”.
Scot Davidson

Scot Davidson
Conservative

Constituency:
York–Simcoe

Relevant infrastructure projects

  • Sample projects in the area of York–Simcoe:
    • GO Transit RER - Barrie Corridor ($595,142,500)
    • York Durham Sewage System Forcemain Twinning Project ($48,000,000)
    • Yonge North Subway Extension - Planning and Preliminary Engineering ($36,344,175)

Election to the House of Commons

  • Elected in February 2019 (by-election), re-elected November 2019.

Professional background

  • Restaurateur, small business owner
  • Served on the boards of: The Georgina Medical Health Board, Georgina Waterways Advisory Committee, Lake Simcoe Fisheries Stakeholder Committee, and the Jackson’s Point Business Improvement Area.

Points of interest to INFC/RED

  • Supported the opposition day motion in January 2020 for an audit of the government’s $180 billion infrastructure plan.
  • In February 2020, introduced Bill C-204, an Act to amend the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (final disposal of plastic waste)
  • Securing federal infrastructure funding for his riding was a priority in his electoral campaign.
Fayçal El-Khoury

Fayçal El-Khoury
Liberal

Constituency:
Laval—Les Îles

Relevant infrastructure projects

  • Sample projects in the area of Laval—Les Îles:
    • Extension of highway 19 between highways 440 in Laval and 640 in Bois-des-Filion ($260,435,500)
    • Rehabilitation of the Pie-IX bridge between Montreal and Laval ($78,860,000)
    • Biomethanation project in Laval ($30,550,000)

Election to the House of Commons

  • Elected in 2015, re-elected in 2019

Professional background

  • Engineer
  • Business owner (residential construction)
  • Business relations consultant with the Middle East (2005-2015)

Points of interest to INFC/RED

  • In January 2020, voted against the Conservative Opposition Motion calling for an audit of the government’s “Investing in Canada Plan”.
Helena Jaczek

Helena Jaczek
Liberal

Constituency:
Markham—Stouffville

Relevant infrastructure projects

  • Sample projects in the area of Markham—Stouffville:
    • GO Transit RER - Barrie Corridor ($595,142,500)
    • City of Markham’s Flood Control Project ($48,640,000)
    • York Durham Sewage System Forcemain Twinning Project ($48,000,000)

Election to the House of Commons

  • First elected in 2019

Professional background

  • Member of Provincial Parliament (Ontario) from 2007 to 2018
  • Minister of Community and Social Services (2014-2018)
  • Minister of Health and Long-Term Care (2018)
  • [redacted]
  • Former public servant (Privy Council Office)
  • General practitioner at the Women’s College Hospital in Toronto
  • Chief Medical officer of health in the York region (18 years)

Other committee roles (past and present)

  • Member, Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology (current)

Points of interest to INFC/RED

  • In January 2020, voted against the Conservative Opposition Motion calling for an audit of the government’s “Investing in Canada Plan”.

Other

  • Riding previously held by former minister, Jane Philpott.
Churence Rogers

Churence Rogers
Liberal

Constituency:
Bonavista—Burin—Trinity

Relevant infrastructure projects

  • Sample projects in the area of Bonavista—Burin—Trinity:
    • Road Rehabilitation – Routes 210, 430 & 510 ($23,773,750)
    • Bridge Replacements on Routes 1, 10 and 100 ($8,800,000)
    • Rural Road Rehabilitation - Eastern Region ($4,968,000)

Election to the House of Commons

  • Elected in 2017 (By-election), re-elected in 2019

Professional background

  • Mayor of Centreville-Wareham-Trinity (2009 – 2017)
  • Mayor of Harbour Breton (1997-2003)
  • President of Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador (2011 – 2015)
  • Member of the national Board of Directors for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities; and Chair of the Atlantic Caucus

Other committee roles (past and present)

  • Member, Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities (2018-19)
  • Member, Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs (2019-20)
  • Member, Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans (2018-19)
  • Member, Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development (2018)
  • Member, Standing Committee on Scrutiny and Regulations (2018)

Points of interest to INFC/RED

  • In January 2020, voted against the Conservative Opposition Motion calling for an audit of the government’s “Investing in Canada Plan”.
  • Advocate for Canada’s rural and coastal communities
  • At committee during the 42nd Parliament (2015-2019):
    • He asked Minister Champagne to discuss what the government was doing to connect rural communities with broadband internet and improved cell service.
    • He asked DM Kelly Gillis on the approach and objectives for increasing the share of the cost of infrastructure with municipalities (only 7%), and on whether the agreements are monitored to ensure all partners live up to their agreements. He also asked why projects are delayed, and about how much of the $2 billion allocated for rural and northern communities over 10 years has been allocated so far.
    • On a few occasions, asked in committee if bilateral agreements were a cause for infrastructure delays.
Maninder Sidhu

Maninder Sidhu
Liberal

Constituency:
Brampton East

Relevant infrastructure projects

  • Sample projects in the area of Brampton East:
    • GO Transit RER - Kitchener Corridor ($752,652,500)
    • Sandalwood Facility Maintenance Expansion ($12,450,000)
    • Implementation of Züm Airport Road rapid transit corridor ($9,550,000)

Election to the House of Commons

  • Elected in 2019

Professional background

  • Business owner of a customs brokerage business
  • Founder of the Kindness Movement Charity, which assists underprivileged school children and the less fortunate in India and in Canada.

Other committee roles (past and present)

  • Member, Standing Committee Natural Resources (current)

Points of interest to INFC/RED

  • In January 2020, voted against the Conservative Opposition Motion calling for an audit of the government’s “Investing in Canada Plan”.