Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I'm always a little concerned about how SMS programs are monitored. By the way, I want my colleagues to understand that I am in favour of such systems. The problem lies in how to improve oversight.
Mr. Gage, you stated in your presentation that SMS programs would eliminate bureaucracy and reduce costs. That worries me because Transport Canada did the very same thing. It cut costs. Consider Mr. Watson's graph. Since 2004 , Transport Canada has reduced staff levels and the number of inspectors. If we follow the curve, we see that the number of inspectors increased after September 2001, but is now dropping.
Earlier, Mr. Barone said that the number of inspectors on staff had remained steady. You may think that's true, but in reality, there are fewer of them on the job right now. Transport Canada's goal is to reduce the numbers further. Our job is to ensure that your operations are closely monitored.
Earlier, Mr. Gage, you didn't answer my colleague's question. He wanted to know how often members of your association were subject to an inspection. You told me that your organization had been inspected once, but that another inspection was scheduled to take place soon, within the coming days or months. You told me that you were scheduled to undergo a real inspection.