House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2015, with 39% of the vote.
Transportation Safety June 12th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, naturally our thoughts and prayers go to the families who have had loved ones lose their lives in that tragic derailment.
The minister has tasked the advisory council on rail safety to look at what can be done. He is taking the advice of the council, and we are going to suggest bringing in recording devices so that we will know how these locomotives operate.
I wish the member would not politicize this.
Infrastructure June 11th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, we often get requests such as this, but in most cases ferries fall within provincial jurisdiction.
I would like to highlight that we do have the Canada building fund part 2 coming up, which would allow municipalities to pick and choose projects that they wish to invest in.
Certainly, if there is a proposal for this particular ferry, we would be happy to look at it.
Transportation Safety June 11th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, naturally our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims of the tragic Burlington derailment and all traffic accidents on the tracks. We take these issues very seriously.
I will point out that safety has actually improved over the decade. However, we have listened to the recommendations in the report and the Minister of Transport is encouraging the Railway Association of Canada, CN and CP to install recording devices. It would be a big help.
Rail Transportation June 10th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, in fact, this government has invested over $1 billion in passenger rail. We have renovated stations, upgraded trains and improved accessibility, while creating jobs for Canadians. This government is committed to quality rail service that is not a burden on the taxpayer.
Interestingly, all the investments we made, the opposition parties and the member voted against.
Rail Transportation June 4th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, the member has correctly pointed out that people do not take the train as much as they did in the 1950s or 1940s. I am glad that is evident to him. I also hoped he would have supported the $1-billion of investment we put into VIA, but he did not.
Ridership continues to go down because there are alternative methods of transportation, like automobile, bus and airplane. We are making the best possible rail service, but we are not going to have taxpayers wasting money on trains that do not have people in them.
Canada Post May 31st, 2013
Mr. Speaker, our government is committed to ensuring that we fulfill whatever the court decides.
Right now, in this particular case, the Government of Canada cannot interfere, because it is an arm's length crown corporation. However, I am told by Canada Post that they are working very diligently to get this matter resolved, because they have to.
Questions on the Order Paper May 28th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, with regard to (a), since the implementation of the Canadian Postal Service Charter in September 2009, the public consultation process has taken place 33 times.
With regard to (b), after public consultation, action has resulted in an outcome other than the closure of a location on zero occasions.
Canada Post regularly reviews its network of post offices to address issues such as population, housing and business development, as well as the shopping patterns of Canadians and finding ways to improve operations, enhance the customer experience, remain competitive and provide relevant postal service for all Canadians.
As part of the public consultation process, Canada Post carefully reviews all the feedback received as well as surrounding postal network coverage before making a final decision. The ultimate goal is to ensure the service Canada Post is providing is appropriate and meets its customers’ postal needs.
Transport May 24th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, Canada works on a user-pay system. The people who use our airports pay for the use of the airports. There is a dividend that the federal government receives from airports each year and that is because the airports lease the land from the federal government.
This is very different than the U.S. model, where U.S. airports are heavily subsidized by the taxpayer. We will not have the taxpayer subsidize air travel. People who use air travel will pay for their trips.
Questions on the Order Paper May 9th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, with regard to (a), (b), (c) and (d), under the Canadian Postal Service Charter, the government is to review the charter every five years after its adoption to assess the need to adapt the charter to changing requirements. Since the charter was announced in September 2009, the first five-year review would not be until September 2014.
Transportation May 8th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, that member should really be sad about how she asked that question. Transport Canada's top priority is the safety and security of Canadian passengers and to suggest anything else is ridiculous.
The standard we now have for WestJet, one in fifty, is done with U.S. carriers. It is the standard used every day, including in Canadian air space. It is recognized by ICAO. We have the best air safety in the world, and it will stay that way.