Debates of May 7th, 2014

Transport—Main Estimates, 2014–15

[Lisa Raitt, Conservative, Halton, ON]

Mr. Chair, VIA makes its own decisions with respect to its service.

It has indicated to us the service levels it is providing with respect to the appropriations it receives from Parliament. There is the Ocean line, that the member refers to, that goes from Montreal to Halifax. There are various other lines in the country that operate as well within the envelope of funding that we provide.

[Yvon Godin, NDP, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

Mr. Chair, has the government considered providing funding to VIA Rail so that it can buy these rail lines itself? When will that funding be announced?

[Lisa Raitt, Conservative, Halton, ON]

Mr. Chair, VIA Rail does own some parts of rail. Mostly notably in Ottawa, it does own a stretch of rail on its own. It is VIA's own business decision to purchase that rail line.

With respect to the area, as the hon. member knows, I have met, through his invitation, with the mayors of the Richibucto and Petit-Rocher, and representatives from the Union of Quebec Municipalities to discuss this rail line.

I am happy to say that I have encouraged VIA and CN to talk with each other with respect to this rail line. Those conversations are happening.

[Yvon Godin, NDP, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

Mr. Chair, can the minister tell us that those conversations between VIA Rail and CN are encouraging for the people of New Brunswick, Quebec and all of eastern Canada?

[Lisa Raitt, Conservative, Halton, ON]

Mr. Chair, in contemplation of the work that CN had done with the province of New Brunswick, and already in consultation with the MPs that I work with on this side of the House from New Brunswick, it is important to ensure that a conversation between VIA and CN happens with respect to the possibility of this rail line coming into VIA's operation.

That matter is being discussed by VIA and CN. I am here and not at the table with them tonight.

[Yvon Godin, NDP, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

Mr. Chair, the government cut VIA Rail's budget by 6% in 2011, 15% in 2012, and 9% last year. How big will the cuts be this year?

[Lisa Raitt, Conservative, Halton, ON]

Mr. Chair, I have indicated what the estimates are this year. There are approximately $183 million, which is consistent with what we had sought in previous years.

[Yvon Godin, NDP, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

Mr. Chair, is the minister not ashamed of her government?

CN itself recently announced it would invest $30 million in the railway lines between Moncton and Campbellton. The province of New Brunswick, which, I am ashamed to say, is the poorest province in Canada, will invest $25 million in the railway lines to ensure that New Brunswick keeps its rail service. The province is simply asking for $10 million from the federal government.

Is the minister not ashamed that her government cannot tell the people of New Brunswick that they need not fear losing VIA Rail service in their region?

[Lisa Raitt, Conservative, Halton, ON]

Mr. Chair, since 2006, our government has actually given VIA almost $1 billion in capital funding, which is significant. We have invested heavily in VIA Rail in the past number of years, but VIA has to ensure it works to not be a burden on taxpayers.

The being said, with the discontinuance proceedings that are happening with this piece of rail, as the government, we have encouraged VIA to have the conversation with CN about this portion of track, give due consideration to what the member has said, and what my colleagues from New Brunswick also have said.

My role is to meet with the mayors, which I have done, to open up the chain of dialogue to ensure that we get to the right place in our decision-making and also accept whatever the decisions are made.

[The Chair, NDP, Joe Comartin]

That concludes this section.

The hon. member for Vancouver South.

[Wai Young, Conservative, Vancouver South, BC]

Mr. Chair, I am pleased to have the opportunity tonight to address the committee of the whole, but before I do so, I would like to join my many colleagues on both sides of the House to wish the minister a very happy birthday.

Our government understands the importance of transportation to Canada's economy. Marine transportation, in particular, plays a significant role in our ability to trade with international partners and to ship goods around the world. At a time when global trade and connectedness are increasingly necessary for economic growth, it is essential that marine activities be carried out safely and in an environmentally sound way.

This evening I would like to highlight Transport Canada's marine safety programs by providing a brief overview of their scope and purpose. These programs directly support the department's mandate for safe transportation as well as the Government of Canada's priority of having safe and secure communities.

Marine safety programs establish regulatory requirements that are harmonized with international standards for the safe and environmentally responsible operation of vessels in Canada. Marine safety also carries out compliance oversight activities, such as inspection and certification services, to help ensure compliance with requirements.

Requirements apply to the construction and operation of both commercial vehicles and pleasure craft and include the training and certification of seafarers who operate and maintain them. The effective implementation and management of these programs mean the Canadian public can have confidence in the marine sector in this country.

One key program is the domestic vessel regulatory oversight program, which is responsible for helping ensure that substandard Canadian-flag vessels do not operate. Inspection and certification activities are carried out by highly qualified Transport Canada marine safety inspectors or by representatives of qualified organizations that have been granted delegated authority. Under the delegated statutory inspection program, Transport Canada has entered into agreements with certain classification societies to perform statutory vessel inspection and certification functions.

Small commercial vessels, which make up a significant portion of the Canadian fleet, have unique safety and operational requirements that are addressed in a new program known as the small vessel compliance program, or SVCP. The SVCP helps inform the owners and operators of small commercial vessels of their regulatory obligations under the Canada Shipping Act, 2001, and to verify that their vessels meet them. This new program has proven to be a very successful way to enhance the safe operation of these vessels and to increase compliance.

Port state control is a ship inspection program that inspects foreign-flagged vessels in our waters. It is a way to ensure that foreign vessels calling at Canadian ports comply with major international maritime conventions, thereby enhancing safety and protecting the environment.

Transport Canada is also the lead federal department responsible for Canada's marine oil spill preparedness and response regime. This regime is in place to mitigate the impact of any marine pollution incidents in all Canadian waters. In this area, the department collaborates with Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the Canadian Coast Guard, and Environment Canada to ensure preparedness and response to oil spills.

One important aspect of this regime is the national aerial surveillance program, or NASP. The program conducts aerial surveillance over all waters under Canadian jurisdiction using three aircraft with state-of-the-art remote sensing equipment that is so sensitive that it can detect marine oil spills as small as one litre. The information gathered is used to support enforcement action against polluters. Last winter, the minister actually participated in one of these surveillance flights. She saw first-hand that this is a very successful and worthwhile program.

As members are aware, our government is taking action to prevent marine oil spills from happening in the first place, to clean up spills quickly and effectively if they do happen, and to ensure that polluters pay.

The hon. Denis Lebel, in his prior capacity as Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, and the hon. Joe Oliver, in his prior capacity as Minister of Natural Resources, announced the strategy to implement the world-class tanker safety system in March of last year. This is a comprehensive interdepartmental strategy, led by Transport Canada, that includes initiatives by Environment Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the Canadian Coast Guard, and Natural Resources Canada. With respect to preventing oil spills, we have put forward legislative amendments under Bill C-3 that would increase government oversight of oil-handling facilities, address issues of immunity for response organizations responding to a spill at one of these facilities, and strengthen requirements for pollution prevention and response at oil-handling facilities.

Other steps we have taken for which Transport Canada is responsible include increasing inspections of foreign tankers, reviewing existing pilotage and tug escort requirements, and launching the process to designate the Port of Kitimat public, which would require port traffic-control measures.

We have also expanded the coverage of the NASP to provide even better aerial surveillance. In addition, the Canadian Coast Guard has invested in new and enhanced aids to navigation that will help mariners avoid accidents and prevent oil spills. Our government has also taken action to better prepare for and respond to marine oil spills if they do happen. The Canadian Coast Guard has moved to establish an incident command system to respond more effectively to any incidents by coordinating the operations of partners. Environment Canada has completed a study into the behaviour of diluted bitumen. This work has increased our understanding of the potential effects of spills on marine ecosystems.

We have also created the tanker safety expert panel to identify how the existing marine oil spill preparedness response regime can be further strengthened. The minister is now considering its recommendations on the current regime south of 60, and looks forward to the panel's second report on the regime in the Arctic and the marine transport of hazardous and noxious substances.

These are major steps, and I am proud that our government has delivered on the promises announced last year.

Finally, I would like to remind the members that marine safety is about more than just commercial shipping. We must also address recreational boating. Transport Canada's Office of Boating Safety, or the OBS, delivers programs that focus on prevention and that provide vital information for users and builders of recreational boats to enhance safety and reduce the environmental impacts of boating. Through the OBS, Transport Canada provides funding to organizations that promote boating safety or research ways to change people's behaviour on the water. These organizations have helped increase the number of boaters who follow safe boating practices. They also have contributed information about boating incidents that makes it possible for the OBS to set objectives to help reduce fatalities, injuries, and damage to property as a result of boating accidents.

The goal of the programs and measures I have outlined this evening is to help ensure that Canada benefits from the most effective marine safety system possible to protect people and the environment. Canadians can be confident that the minister's and Transport Canada's efforts are helping to make the marine transportation system in our country among the safest, most efficient, and most environmentally responsible in the world.

[The Chair, NDP, Joe Comartin]

Just before the member goes to questions, I would advise her and the rest of the House that although we are in committee of the whole, the requirement to address members of Parliament by their riding or ministerial status is still applicable here, and the use of personal names is not permissible.

The member for Vancouver South.

[Wai Young, Conservative, Vancouver South, BC]

Mr. Chair, I understand that last winter, the minister had the privilege of participating in one of the national aerial surveillance program flights. I wonder if she could talk about this experience for the rest of the House.

[Lisa Raitt, Conservative, Halton, ON]

Mr. Chair, I take the opportunity to very much thank the hon. member for her good analysis and overview of what we are trying to do at Transport Canada with respect to marine safety. I would also note that next week is Safe Boating Week, and I think it is important that we remember safety in recreational boating too. People should wear their life jackets and make sure they have everything they need to have on board for recreational boating.

I had the opportunity, as the hon. member said, to take a flight with the national aerial surveillance program. This is a unique program. The United States does not have this program. We have invested in this program, and we will make sure we invest in it more so that they can actually increase the number of hours they are out there patrolling the skies and being our eyes in the skies.

Specifically, I was particularly pleased to note that two members of the crew were women, so they have a nice gender balance in this program. It was very nice to be able to take off with them and to have the ability to view the paths of the vessels in the Vancouver area and to see the equipment they have, the sensor ability they have, the technology they have, and the skills they have to see both ships that are in distress and any spills, even as little, as was mentioned, as a litre of oil, because having that quick response is incredibly important.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time. We did not, unfortunately, see anything there with respect to any potential spills, but I can vouch for the absolute professionalism and the abilities of the crew on board this plane.

One other thing the crew told me was that it is such an incredibly valued program that they were the ones who were called upon by the United States to go down to the gulf to help be the eyes in the skies for the movement of oil on water when they had the Deepwater Horizon disaster, the oil spill in that part of the world. I am very proud of the work they did there and the commendations they have received as a result. We are very happy to make sure we continue to fund this program and increase the funding in the program so they can deliver not only on the west coast but also in the Arctic, and of course, on the east coast of Canada as well.

[Wai Young, Conservative, Vancouver South, BC]

Mr. Chair, could the minister also tell the House why the world-class tanker safety system we put forward is one of the top priorities of this government?

[Lisa Raitt, Conservative, Halton, ON]

Mr. Chair, fundamentally, we want to make sure that we are protecting the safety of Canadians and the safety of the environment, and as we make sure that we develop our resources responsibly and we open up those markets in other parts of the world, we want to transport our goods to market in the most environmentally responsible way. Part of that is with marine shipments. We know that as we increase the number of marine shipments through the west coast or the east coast, we will be faced with increased risk.

We want to ensure that we are ahead of that. That is why we asked for a panel, chaired by a very well-respected captain, Captain Gordon Houston, who used to be the chair and CEO of Port Metro Vancouver, to look at what we currently have in terms of response and in terms of the system to take a safe system and make it even safer. He and his panel had 45 recommendations for the government, and we are taking them under due consideration and are ensuring that we consult with communities and get to the right place.

The importance of the world-class tanker is not just whether we are doing things as best we can for Canada. It is our reputation as well. It is world class for a reason. We are leading the world, when it comes to this kind of development, in ensuring that our marine transportation is as clean as possible and as safe as possible, and in the case of a spill, that we can respond to it as quickly as possible. The final piece is that the polluter is the one who pays and not the Canadian taxpayer.

[The Chair, NDP, Joe Comartin]

That now completes that segment. The hon. member for Ottawa South.

[David McGuinty, Liberal, Ottawa South, ON]

Mr. Chair, Madam Minister, you may assert that Canada is leading the world in terms of safety when it comes to transport, but let us actually look at what your own inspectors in your department are telling you.

I raised with you earlier the recent survey of aviation inspectors who work for Transport Canada. Nine in ten of those aviation inspectors in your department who work for you tell us that Transport Canada's safety management system--

[The Chair, NDP, Joe Comartin]

The hon. member for Ottawa South has been here a long time. He knows to address his comments through the chair, not directly to the minister.

[David McGuinty, Liberal, Ottawa South, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and forgive me. Nine in ten aviation inspectors who work at Transport Canada tell us that Transport Canada's safety management systems prevent the correction of safety problems in a timely fashion, up from 80% who worry this would be the case in the early days of the safety management system. Two-thirds of the minister's own inspectors are telling her that Transport Canada's safety management systems will actually increase the chances of a major aviation accident.

How should Canadians interpret this?

[Lisa Raitt, Conservative, Halton, ON]

Mr. Chair, as I have indicated before, in the aviation field on itself we have already indicated that the number of accidents has decreased. The foundation of which we have approached safety with respect to airline safety for many years now is through safety management systems. It is renowned as the leading way to deal with it.

Indeed, the chair of the Transportation Safety Board, Wendy Tadros, said that they are “a powerful, internationally recognized management tool to help organizations find trouble before trouble finds them”. She also said, “SMS is the right way to go”.

Quite frankly, that is exactly the direction we will continue to move in. With the recommendations from the Auditor General, we continue to ensure we give all the training and the equipment we can to our auditors to carry out the duties they should do under SMS.

[David McGuinty, Liberal, Ottawa South, ON]

Mr. Chair, just before the Lac Mégantic derailment, the minister's department appointed a licensed airline pilot to act as the manager of enforcement of rail safety regulations, an airline pilot in the Quebec region. The new policy that allowed this to happen will also result in the appointment of enforcement managers for aviation safety who have no aviation background or knowledge whatsoever.

Could the minister explain how it is a good idea to place managers in charge of enforcing safety regulations in modes of transportation that they know absolutely nothing about?

[Lisa Raitt, Conservative, Halton, ON]

Mr. Chair, I do not know what the hon. member has against pilots, but they are well trained and they can absolutely be trained in other fields as well I am sure.

With respect to air safety in general, despite substantial increases in traffic, Canada actually boasts the lowest rate of accidents in the modern era. Regardless if someone is a pilot, or a teamster, or a marine operator, the fundamental aspect in transportation that runs through all of these is adherence to safety standards, and that is understood in whatever mode of transportation one is in.

Transport Canada inspectors have small and large airlines that they inspect thousands of times per year, and the proof of the pudding is this. Aviation accidents in Canada have actually decreased by 25% in the last decade and are now at an all time low. The safety of Canadians is our top priority and we, through Transport Canada, continue to deliver on that.

[David McGuinty, Liberal, Ottawa South, ON]

In fact, Mr. Chair, I guess it is so safe in Canada to fly that under the Conservative government, the Conference Board now concludes that Canadians are taking five million flights a year from the United States airports. That number is going up 10% to 15% each and every year under the Conservative administration. Canadians are driving to the United States and they are creating jobs and economic activity in U.S. airports.

What has the minister done to fix this?

[Lisa Raitt, Conservative, Halton, ON]

Mr. Chair, many years ago, the airports that were under the control of Transport Canada were divested into airport authorities. They were put into the hands of local communities through a ground lease to ensure that the development, the management, the marketing of these airports were done by local community members on a smaller scale, and it has proven to be very successful. Airport authorities are the ones that set their charges. They are the ones that set their rates. They are the ones that ensure airlines come in and fly out and that passengers make it to them.

Our government has made some substantial infrastructure investments in and around airports in Canada through our economic action plans because we recognize the importance of air transport to a greater economy and to a better economy. While we focus on safety and security, we also want to ensure that as part of our entire economic plan, we want to include the air sector as part of that. My Transport Department has done an excellent job of analyzing air sector service needs and it will report to me in the future with respect to the outcomes and the analysis.