Transport Committee on May 7th, 2007

[Lawrence Cannon, Conservative, Pontiac, QC]

I appreciate the way you're acting, but the reality is, Mr. Volpe, under your watch, rail derailments went up. We're looking at it and we're going to do something.

[Joe Volpe, Liberal, Eglinton—Lawrence, ON]

We've had under your watch—

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

Monsieur Laframbroise.

[Joe Volpe, Liberal, Eglinton—Lawrence, ON]

—accidents and deaths. Are you taking responsibility for them?

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

Monsieur Laframbroise, please.

[Mario Laframboise, Bloc, Argenteuil—Papineau—Mirabel, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Minister, my first question concerns the Outaouais region. Under "Grants and Contributions", vote 10 sets out the Outaouais Roadway Development Agreement, totalling $18 million. Vote 55 sets out contributions made by the Office of Infrastructure of Canada. The national highway network is undoubtedly included within infrastructure. We can see here that the Government of Quebec has delayed a $41 million investment in highway 50.

Strangely, at around the same time, you jointly announced with the Government of Quebec that there would be investments in the anti-noise wall in Gatineau, investments to extend highway 5 and investments to cover the cost overruns of the McConnell-Laramée highway.

Can you guarantee me that funds allocated for highway 50 will not be used for those three projects?

[Lawrence Cannon, Conservative, Pontiac, QC]

You have my guarantee.

[Mario Laframboise, Bloc, Argenteuil—Papineau—Mirabel, QC]

My second question is on the "Grants and Contributions", and vote 10. Perhaps I am mistaken, but I believe that in the past, this heading also included contributions to port divestiture programs. Yet, I do not see any votes set aside for it. Is the port divestiture program still in effect? Does this budget set aside funds for the divestiture of ports, given that the vast majority of them are located in Quebec? How much do these amounts come to?

[Lawrence Cannon, Conservative, Pontiac, QC]

When I appeared before this committee exactly one year ago, the program had already expired on March 31, 2006. Measures were taken this past year to renew the program. As such, budget 2007 now includes renewal of the program. It has been renewed in principle, and it is included in the budget, if I am not mistaken. Therefore, the program is still ongoing.

In fact, when I traveled to Trois-Pistoles last month, I announced the divestiture of port assets to the inter-municipal corporation. I also took the opportunity to announce that we would be making the required financial contributions to the corporation in order to update and renovate the Escoumins and Trois-Pistoles harbours. The program is still underway.

[Mario Laframboise, Bloc, Argenteuil—Papineau—Mirabel, QC]

Can you please confirm the amounts available for Quebec?

[Louis Ranger]

In the last budget, a very significant amount was approved. We must meet with Treasury Board very soon to talk about the details, but I can assure you that an amount has been set aside to complete the program. It involves more than $100 million for the entire country. It is a very significant amount.

[Mario Laframboise, Bloc, Argenteuil—Papineau—Mirabel, QC]

Will that allow for the return of our ports to Quebec?

[Louis Ranger]

We believe that all ports will be transferred.

[Mario Laframboise, Bloc, Argenteuil—Papineau—Mirabel, QC]

Have you made that estimate, or are you still assessing the matter?

[Louis Ranger]

In some cases, there have been some major hurdles. For example, members of the first nations may perhaps oppose land divestiture. We are trying to realistically evaluate what can be transferred.

[Mario Laframboise, Bloc, Argenteuil—Papineau—Mirabel, QC]

Mr. Minister, my next question deals with vote 55. The Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program will be replaced by the Building Canada Fund, I believe. Within this program, an agreement was signed between Canada and Quebec to make shared investments in small regional railways which are often a part of larger rail networks. The federal government's contribution is $30 million.

Is the amount of $30 million to be found in the Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program budget for 2007-2008?

[Lawrence Cannon, Conservative, Pontiac, QC]

That amount was already set aside because it had been approved in the 2005 budget by the former government. The amount has been specifically reserved for strategic investment programs to assist small and local railways.

[Mario Laframboise, Bloc, Argenteuil—Papineau—Mirabel, QC]

Those railways need this assistance in order to ensure transportation safety. I know that you are open to resolving this problem. All those funds will be dedicated to infrastructure in order to resolve safety issues involving these railways that often run across our regions.

I know that money is not available. Can you tell me what is missing so that this money—

[Lawrence Cannon, Conservative, Pontiac, QC]

In fact, the money is available, a contribution is—

[Mario Laframboise, Bloc, Argenteuil—Papineau—Mirabel, QC]

But it hasn't been spent.

[Lawrence Cannon, Conservative, Pontiac, QC]

Exactly. The Government of Quebec, the private sector and owners all make contributions, as do railways. The issue is moving forward. The final authorizations are almost complete. I would hope that in the upcoming months we will finally be able to make an announcement.

[Mario Laframboise, Bloc, Argenteuil—Papineau—Mirabel, QC]

Be careful, the last time you said this in the fall, it was delayed.

[Lawrence Cannon, Conservative, Pontiac, QC]

The fall ends on December 21^st. Mirabel was returned before December 21^st.

[Mario Laframboise, Bloc, Argenteuil—Papineau—Mirabel, QC]

My last question concerns the Building Canada Fund. In your speech, you said that you are attached... When will we know what the new program's benchmarks are? There are many questions concerning the replacement of one program by another. What can you tell us so that we can provide assurances to all those who wish to benefit from the Building Canada Fund, such as municipalities and organizations? Can we know what the timeline is soon?

[Lawrence Cannon, Conservative, Pontiac, QC]

The timeline is rather tight. We are in the midst of completing the program's design. I will be making a presentation to the cabinet very soon. After that, we should be receiving authorization from Treasury Board to begin negotiations with the provinces on the design, architecture, and goals of the program. I believe that by the end of the year, we will be able to move forward.

In the meantime, on Friday, I announced an agreement with the provinces on the subject of the Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund. This fund will allow us to satisfy the needs of municipalities which have spoken out in recent years. The fund should serve, to my mind, as a palliative measure while new programs are being established.