Evidence of meeting #18 for Transport, Infrastructure and Communities in the 39th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was rail.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Director General, Rail Safety, Department of Transport
We currently invest about $7.5 million a year. I think we have way over $100 million invested in that program. We do prioritize all the crossings. There are lots of people who are interested in this program--plus the closing.
Liberal
Don Bell Liberal North Vancouver, BC
I know the frustration that was raised. I heard from railways and municipalities likewise in terms of the new tracks. In terms of when new track is laid and the issue of proximity of development--either in advance or where new development is going to occur--there needs to be a provision so that the municipalities become aware of the potential for conflict with the rail system, and the fact that the rail system is in many cases protected as a national priority.
Director General, Rail Safety, Department of Transport
There is an initiative between the FCM and the Railway Association of Canada that deals with proximity and is an avenue that can be used at all times.
NDP
Brian Masse NDP Windsor West, ON
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
With regard to your advisory council that is being created here, would you be willing to add a spot for the environment? I ask because of the nature of some of the spills that have occurred. Second to that is some of the progression that can be made even in terms of emissions on the railway system. We see that as an opportunity to be more proactive as opposed to reactive.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Safety and Security, Department of Transport
The committee has been focussing largely on improving safety, and the various representatives also all focused on safety. I think if we were to add the environment, we would incur the risk of diluting the safety aspect, and it wouldn't be the same membership. A lot of the people wouldn't necessarily be the same people, whether from Transport Canada or from the railways. But I understand the need for more consultation and more forums to discuss environmental matters. I am not sure this is the proper forum to do so, but we'll take this under advisement.
NDP
Brian Masse NDP Windsor West, ON
I understand where you're trying to come from on that, but I think that also with the environment, given the types of hazardous materials and so forth that we have, there could be some worthwhile contributions made, during times when we are not in crisis, about how to deal with those things. Prevention, again, is part of it, and there could be a lot of modernization and reduction of emissions. This issue actually does relate to safety and prevention, with the newer technologies that are coming out for locomotives as well.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Safety and Security, Department of Transport
You covered two different subjects here, but for the dangerous goods and for the dangerous matters, we already have the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Advisory Council, so we can use that. This is where we should bring those matters, but for emissions, as you know, this government has said it would regulate on emissions, so we do have to work on that. We haven't decided on the exact consultative forum. I agree with you there are some by-products, but this committee, we think, should really keep its focus on improving safety.
NDP
Brian Masse NDP Windsor West, ON
Well, I hope you will at least consider that. I still think prevention would be there.
At any rate, what is the position of “public at large”? Could you clarify that? The other ones are self-explanatory.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Safety and Security, Department of Transport
Somebody who is not linked to those.
Brian Masse NDP Windsor West, ON
Is it going to be somebody who represents a consumers' group, or are you just literally going to...? How are you going to find that person? Are you just going to pull someone off the street?
Assistant Deputy Minister, Safety and Security, Department of Transport
Maybe. I don't know.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Safety and Security, Department of Transport
No, we haven't discussed that. We just wanted somebody--
Assistant Deputy Minister, Safety and Security, Department of Transport
--who is not part of all of those organizations.
NDP
Brian Masse NDP Windsor West, ON
Well, maybe just for the sake of appearances, perhaps that person could be independently appointed or from a consumers' group or something of that nature.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Safety and Security, Department of Transport
Okay.
NDP
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Merv Tweed
All right. I thank our guests again today for being here, and I want you to know that the invitation is always open for you to return. Thank you.
With that, I have just a couple of things for the committee. Thursday we have CN and CP. Tuesday we have the union representatives. Thursday, April 10, I have left open, and I want you to think about it and get back to me at the start or end of the next meeting. We'll just look at finishing up the review, and perhaps do it in camera if we want. Then we can have a more direct discussion.
So with that, I'll adjourn, and I'll just ask you to think about those things for the next meeting, to give me some advice and direction on them.
The meeting is adjourned.