Mr. Chair, I am pleased to be here today.
Mr. Lebel, thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Chair and members of the committee, for the opportunity to speak about the main estimates requested of the three crown corporations in our portfolio.
I will focus on VIA Rail, Marine Atlantic, and the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority, and I welcome the opportunity to explain how these organizations are evolving and how they continue to best serve the interests of all Canadians.
Let's start with VIA. Passenger rail service plays an integral part in our country's economy and transportation system, and our government remains committed to providing Canadians with safe, reliable, and sustainable passenger rail service. We have invested close to $1 billion in VIA to renovate trains, improve accessibility, upgrade tracks, and upgrade stations. Some of those projects have ended, which is reflected in the decreased funding in the main estimates.
These estimates have addressed urgent infrastructure needs. They've helped to improve VIA stations and equipment and to provide faster, more reliable service for travellers across the country.
We have supported improvements in the Quebec-Windsor corridor, and we have contributed to projects that improve the facilities and preserve the heritage features of both Pacific Central Station in Vancouver and Union Station in Winnipeg.
Beyond upgrading the infrastructure, VIA has also introduced innovative new services. Just weeks ago they launched a project that will provide free Canadian entertainment from the CBC and the National Film Board on VIA trains.
As well, we are supporting VIA programs to renew its equipment. In December VIA announced the launch of upgrades to its fleet of F40 locomotives, which are essentially the workhorses of the service. The new engines promise to be both environmentally sustainable and cost-effective, important factors in our transportation system.
VIA is meeting customer demand in the Ottawa-Toronto-Quebec corridor by introducing four new trains per weekday and four more on weekends, for a total of 28 new departures per week. In addition to these changes, there's a direct service between Quebec City and Ottawa to encourage more travel between the two capitals. This new service, which began this past December, could possibly attract 200,000 new passengers annually.
Moving from rail to sea, let's look at Marine Atlantic, which provides the constitutionally mandated ferry service between Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. Given this company's value to Atlantic Canada and the role a strong infrastructure in transportation plays in the region, it is absolutely critical, and our government continues to invest in it. In fact, I took both routes on Marine Atlantic not this summer but the summer past, and it was a thoroughly enjoyable trip on some huge ships. I heard nothing but praise, especially when people compare the new ships with the old ships and the docking, the new infrastructure at the ports versus the old infrastructure. So that's good.
Since 2007 we have supplied funds to support its programs, renew its fleet, and improve its services and facilities. As a result, as I've already mentioned, Marine Atlantic is receiving positive feedback from customers, complimenting both its staff and improved facilities.
With continued support from the federal government, we are confident that Marine Atlantic will continue to improve its efficiency and improve the experience for its customers. This will in turn support growth, job creation, and prosperity in the region.
Just before I conclude, I will talk briefly about the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority. CATSA is responsible for screening air passengers and baggage and for controlling access to restricted areas in our airports. In doing so, it's always looking at ways to improve its service.
This past January, I travelled to Regina to announce a new initiative that is taking place there and in other airports. It will allow those who have NEXUS cards, or people who have joined the NEXUS program for trusted travellers, to pass through air security screening faster and more conveniently. This initiative demonstrates how CATSA and its partners are working to ensure that Canada maintains, as Minister Lebel has already eloquently noted, one of the safest and most secure transportation systems in the world.
Mr. Chair, the three crown corporations I've noted all provide essential services to Canadians and support our world-class transportation system. We are committed to ensuring that they continue to carry out their mandates, and we have taken measures to ensure that core services remain properly funded and aligned with departmental priorities.
We support the efforts they're making, along with the government, to support growth, create jobs, and promote prosperity for all Canadians.
I'd be happy to take any questions.