Mr. Chair, I want to say that it would be important for committee members to have a copy of the document entitled Vision 2040 that they prepared. This document is somewhat similar to a strategy. There were a number of consultations, particularly with the Canadian Federation of Municipalities. We spoke to experts, we met with people from all regions.
This could give us an idea of what a strategic plan could look like, at the very least. In your document, you say that this vision is intended to strengthen public transit, revolutionize services, give priority to clients, guarantee a greener public transit system and ensure financial health. We are starting to see a strategic framework. This could therefore be a good way to help us develop a strategy. I think that it could be useful, in practice.
However, I must play devil's advocate. The problem is that we want a national strategy and our country is extremely vast. There is a rural reality and an urban reality. There is also an issue of flexibility that comes into play, if someone works at three in the morning, if they are self-employed or if they have to think about going to pick up their kids at the day care. There is a reality in this regard and an issue of accessibility.
First of all, how can we have a national strategy given what I would almost describe as the geographic nature of the country in which we live? Then, how can you tie that to a constitutional reality? There is no way out. Minister Lebel said on August 22 that all three levels of government would need to work together. I agree with him.
How can we do that in concrete terms? Do you believe that we should hold a federal-provincial-territorial conference—involving the three levels of government? Since we have already spent $1 billion per year and we currently have no strategy, it is possible to wonder if we really need a strategy. Should we rethink the tax incentive and finally say that, perhaps, a targeted fund and incentive could be sufficient, and we will let the municipalities reach agreement amongst themselves? What is your opinion about all this?
Then, I will come back with other questions.