Robert Laird Borden (Leader of the Official Opposition)
Conservative (1867-1942)
Mr. R. L. BORDEN.
I have not investigated the amended clause, because I have only seen it this moment. Speaking offhand and without any great consideration, I would suggest whether it would not be in the interest of the promoters of this Bill to go a little further. The very last thing they would desire would be that there should be any doubt as to the legislative jurisdiction over any portion of the combined railway which they propose to operate. We have no authority to legislate with regard to the Midland Railway until we have declared it to be a work for the general advantage of Canada. That is as I understand the law. The amendment which has been proposed has been carefully considered, I am sure, by gentlemen having legal training and experience, and I have every deference to that consideration ; but it seems to me that to express what is necessary you should go a little further than this second clause, which merely says that the Midland Railway shall become a part of the Dominion Atlantic and shall be subject to the Railway Act of 1903. If by the expression, 'the said railway, when acquired, shall become part of the Dominion Atlantic Railway,' you bring into force the statute of this parliament passed about ten years ago which declared a definitely stated line of railway to be a work for the general advantage of Canada, you are all right; but if this expression will not bear that interpretation. you are entirely wrong. What 1 would consider desirable, is to have it declared in the Bill that the Midland Railway shall be a work for the general advantage of Canada as the Dominion Atlantic has already been declared.