I would like to thank the members of the Transport Committee for inviting us here today.
I represent thousands of citizens, including the shunting yards in a number of Quebec municipalities, including Sainte-Foy, Limoilou, Charny, Saint-Jean-Chrysostome, for the Quebec region and Outremont, Côte-Saint-Luc, Mont-Royal, Pointe-Saint-Charles, and Old Montreal, for the Montreal region.
We are seeking to restore tranquillity and promote a harmonious cohabitation with the railway companies. The problem only began in 1998, when CN was privatized, at which time the shunting yard operations increased. Our group is not against development. However, we would like to be able to all live together in harmony. The concern over greenhouse gas emissions will cause an increase in the use of rail and marine transportation. We are in favour of that change. However, we would like CN and other railway companies such as CN and CP to take the necessary steps to mitigate noise for the benefit of those residents who live next to the shunting yards.
We did not come here today to provide solutions for the railway companies, even though it is a well-known fact that in Europe, many countries have found a way to promote a peaceful existence between local residents and the railway companies. For example, some have built underground shunting yards. And some railway companies use pneumatic noise dampening systems.
The term “unreasonable noise” is used in Bill C-11. Bill C-26 stated that attempt should be made to reduce noise. What we are asking is for railway companies to avoid generating noise that could affect the health or quality of life of citizens.
Unreasonable noise is a qualitative concept. We would like these measurements to be quantitative, and determined by the use of systems that will measure the decibel level, both during the day and at night. We would also like to see a national railway noise reduction policy similar to what is now being done in Europe, where railway shunting yard noise is monitored 24/7. Railway companies there must correct any shortcomings by implementing new technology, including research and development.
We know that CN is doing well and making money. We think that some of that money should be used in research and development to promote noise reduction and make things easier on surrounding neighbourhoods. We would also like Canada's Transportation Agency to have the power to issue orders with specific deadlines to settle problems caused by the shunting yards.
Bill C-26 provided for a 30-day period. It is 60 days in Bill C-11. We would like a return to the 30-day period for settling a dispute. In Charny, for example, there was a mediation committee that lasted 18 months. No report was ever written and no recommendations were made by CN.
As I said earlier, I represent thousands of citizens. These people have reached the end of their rope. From May to September, they have to keep their windows closed. If Canada's Transportation Act is not amended, their health will be in serious jeopardy. There are people in Charny whose health is seriously affected. Something must be done now. I am a former member of Parliament. I worked on Bills C-26 and C-44, which died on the Order Paper when Parliament was prorogued in November 2003 and an election was called in June 2004.
We would like to see Bill C-11 passed and the word “unreasonable” replaced by another term, something relating to the fact that noise must not affect the health of citizens, as well as a provision to quantify noise levels both day and night.
We are in favour of the development of rail transportation, but it must be done in a way that will respect the citizens. We would also like the railway companies to abide by all relevant municipal and provincial regulations. If an individual citizen were to make as much noise as the Charny shunting yard, he would immediately be charged with a noise violation. We are up against a very noisy company that we are powerless to do anything about.
We are asking you to allow those living near the shunting yards to avail themselves of their right to live in peace, by implementing monitoring measures similar to the ones that now apply in European countries.
I would like to thank the members of the committee.