Obviously, without basic infrastructure, there can be no public transit.
As you mentioned and as we can see for ourselves—whether it be the Champlain Bridge or other bridges or highways—we have created a problem over time. We have neglected our infrastructure because we did not know how to secure adequate funding.
In Quebec, we took out the toll booths. At the time, the money was put directly into infrastructure in the various jurisdictions. Because of the relationship between the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and the Canadian government, we found a solution. It began when Prime Minister Paul Martin was in office. When the current government came into power, the charges became permanent. How should we deal with issue of funding?
You talked about relationships with the private sector. We have to think of new sources of financing. For instance, would you be in favour of seeking new ways to obtain funding, through toll booths, for instance?
Should we do as they do in the United States, when, in some cases, payment is made electronically, a bit like Highway 407 in Toronto? All of this requires a very clear relationship between the federal government and the municipalities. However, we must accept that, under the Constitution, you are a creature of the provinces. We do not like to say so, but it is the reality. How do you go about redefining the role of municipalities in order to have a national public transit strategy?