Mr. Speaker, VIA Rail's Atlantic train between Halifax and Montreal is well used and important to the people of Saint John. My question is for the Minister of Transport.
There is an expectation that a private short line company will purchase and operate the main line railway from Saint John, New Brunswick, to Sherbrooke, Quebec, under provincial jurisdiction. It appears that a proposed amendment to the NTA may be required before VIA passenger trains may operate over such a provincial railway.
If this is correct how soon would the government be able to enact this legislation, if requested, and what procedure would be carried out to accomplish same?