Transport committee  Yes. It will be on our website and it'll be one number. We used to have one, as I said, but they just did a survey and there were several of them at Transport Canada. Other branches were getting complaints from rail; we were getting complaints from other branches. We're just trying to streamline that.

Transport committee  The bill grants many powers to the minister. No power is granted to the director general. Powers are granted through a delegation instrument.

Transport committee  Yes, as is the case now.

Transport committee  I think so.

Transport committee  Just going from my memory, I'd say that most of these amendments have had value added. There were some proposed by the teamsters. For instance, in terms of the whistle-blower protection, Bill C-33 was requiring the employees to report directly to the companies. The unions felt that with the relationship they had with Transport Canada, and with the trust that was between us and them, we could handle that.

Transport committee  In terms of crossings, I think they're pretty much in good shape, I would say. When we test them, when we inspect them, usually they're pretty good. The crossing regulation will enhance that. However, I would agree with you that from a trespassing standpoint it's been an issue.

Transport committee  There is a system that I would describe as a system of signals in the cabin. These signals appear on a screen, which allows the crew to see the next signal and to know what restrictions are coming up, in terms of speed, for example. But no Canadian railway has that system. We are really looking into this to see how PTC is working in the United States.

Transport committee  We actually met with all of the provinces on this bill in its current form and under Bill C-33. We gave them a clause-by-clause...and we saw no issue or concern. We met with all the railway unions. We met with most of the companies. We participated in many conferences across Canada where we knew that stakeholders would be in attendance.

Transport committee  Yes.

Transport committee  No.

Transport committee  Positive train control will basically prevent four things: it would prevent over-speed, if a crew is going over the speed limit; it would prevent a collision between two trains; it would detect if a switch is left in the reverse position and would slow down the train; and if there's a work zone ahead of the train and the train is not slowing down because they did not get permission from the foreman to go through, it would slow down the train.

Transport committee  I believe that rail transportation is just as safe as air transportation. Our data show a constant improvement in safety. Under Bill S-4, safety will be enhanced even further. For example, railway undertakings have to apply for a safety certificate. The fact that all railway companies must show that they have implemented all measures to guarantee safety before they can even start up operations is a good thing.

Transport committee  Yes, absolutely. We have set up a joint committee with representatives from railway companies and the University of Calgary, with whom we have set up a railroad studies laboratory. We also cooperate with the Association of American Railroads, the AAR, which has a testing site in Pueblo, Colorado, called the TTCI.

Transport committee  Bill S-4 does not make research and development mandatory. However some legislation like the Railway Safety Act, some sections of which are included in Bill S-4, do encourage the introduction and use of new technologies under existing rules. For example, under existing rules, we can test new technologies in just about 35 days.

Transport committee  In fact, there are two aspects to what is commonly called an audit. First of all, to see if a company really has a safety management system and respects it, you first check to see whether they have actually put in place policies and procedures. Secondly, you check whether they are implemented, and you do this through interviews with employees and on-site inspections.