Thank you Mr. Chairman. I would also like to thank those who have taken the time to appear before the committee today, particularly the representatives of ProPointe, which is in my riding. I know that Phaedra and others, who are here today, have done a lot of work on this file. They have taken the time to come to Ottawa, and we appreciate their effort.
Mr. Jobin mentioned that CN had sold the land adjoining its shunting yard. There are also historical reasons. For example, in an old neighbourhood like Pointe-Saint-Charles, housing was built beside the railway because that is where people worked. They walked everywhere. In many cases, the problem is a recent one. People have been living next to the railways for years, but it is because rail activity has increased that we are now seeing these problems.
There are solutions. Recently, a representative from the railway equipment industry told the Standing Committee on Finance that there are quieter locomotives and shunting mechanisms. The railways should be given a tax break to buy this type of equipment. These incentives would provide a greater benefit to our citizens than the tax breaks that we give to the oil companies.
I don't know if this happened throughout Quebec, but I was told that the trains make quite a bit of noise going around curves. When a train turns, the wheels lean on the rail which causes a squealing noise. Someone from my riding told me that his dog could hear the train coming. A dog is sensitive to high pitched noises. This gives you an idea of the scope of the problem. I think everyone would agree that we have to strengthen the existing legislation.
My question is for Mr. Gantous and it deals with dangerous goods. Has CN ever told you if it has an emergency plan? Did they tell you what specific steps they would take if a problem were to occur? Have you seen any evidence of some type of monitoring? Are these people concerned about the safety of the products that they store in your facilities?