Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I want to thank the witnesses for participating in today's meeting. This testimony is very important for our study.
I would like to first discuss Canadians' concern over environmental protection.
Coasts and rivers are very important to Canadians. Since the Lac-Mégantic incidents, Canadians have been very worried about Transport Canada and its role, which really consists in protecting citizens. Concerns were also voiced when the Auditor General issued his report on rail safety, which drew attention to many shortcomings.
I will read an excerpt from the Transportation Safety Board of Canada's report:
Some transportation companies are not effectively managing their safety risks, and Transport Canada oversight and intervention has not always proven effective at changing companies' unsafe operating practices.
Canadians are quite concerned, and so are we, as the opposition party, especially since the government has cut budgets. For instance, Transport Canada's spending in transportation security is now 20% lower than it was in 2009-2010. When it comes to marine safety, the 2010-2011 budget indicates that expenditures totalled $82.7 million, but they have been reduced by 28%. So that area has also been subject to cuts.
The worrisome part is oversight. Could you tell us how many inspectors are currently involved in marine safety?