Evidence of meeting #68 for Transport, Infrastructure and Communities in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was railways.
A video is available from Parliament.
4:40 p.m.
President, Institut en Culture Sécurité Industrielle Mégantic
In our view, it is clear that the training for conductors and first responders should be standardized and made compulsory. Those are our two recommendations.
4:40 p.m.
Conservative
Steven Blaney Conservative Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis, QC
My last question is for you, Mr. Johnston. In terms of data, you recognize that it is important that we collect the data, but you mentioned that the way it is proposed in the bill is not the way to move forward. How could we tweak it or make it more efficient?
4:40 p.m.
General Manager, Logistics and Planning, Teck Resources Limited
Obviously, there's a great deal about the data that we like. It's certainly an improvement over what we have today, which is essentially nothing, so I don't want to give the wrong impression. Nevertheless, I think the biggest thing is just to ensure that all the data is collected and then submitted to the agency that will collate and publish it. It must be a complete dataset. Really, that would do it.
4:40 p.m.
NDP
Robert Aubin NDP Trois-Rivières, QC
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Mr. Audet, I would like to resume our conversation that was gently and fairly interrupted by our chair.
You mentioned Positive Train Control. Does the system exist in Canada or the United States?
4:45 p.m.
President, Institut en Culture Sécurité Industrielle Mégantic
It's an American system. It sort of has to do with the supply chain you mentioned earlier, since it provides information about it. The system also provides information about mechanical issues, such as brakes and maintenance. You can obtain a lot of information with the system.
4:45 p.m.
NDP
Robert Aubin NDP Trois-Rivières, QC
So I was not mistaken in saying that, right now, municipalities are unable to know what types of products cross their territory by rail.
4:45 p.m.
President, Institut en Culture Sécurité Industrielle Mégantic
They are able to find out with the system—
4:45 p.m.
President, Institut en Culture Sécurité Industrielle Mégantic
No, the municipalities can find out with the help of the AskRail application. We don't have access to it, but first responders can have the app on their phones and find out exactly what's on the train. However, they can only find out as the train goes by.
4:45 p.m.
NDP
Robert Aubin NDP Trois-Rivières, QC
That's when the reaction time starts. I imagine that there's a specific type of intervention for each product.
4:45 p.m.
NDP
Robert Aubin NDP Trois-Rivières, QC
This means that not even the application provides the time required to react.
4:45 p.m.
President, Institut en Culture Sécurité Industrielle Mégantic
The fact remains that we know what a train contains in the event of an accident. That's still an excellent source of information. We know exactly what type of intervention will be needed. However, clearly—
4:45 p.m.
NDP
4:45 p.m.
President, Institut en Culture Sécurité Industrielle Mégantic
I'm not sure I can answer that. It may be possible to obtain the information sooner. In terms of the delay itself, I would not want to mislead you by answering inaccurately.
4:45 p.m.
NDP
Robert Aubin NDP Trois-Rivières, QC
Okay.
Over the past few minutes, while listening to the comments with one ear, I have been trying to quickly scan through the documents you provided. Clearly, the institute you are in the process of setting up can only be beneficial for safety.
What is the status of the funding for the institute? Is Transport Canada contributing? Is this still being studied? Could the objectives outlined your document materialize quickly?
4:45 p.m.
President, Institut en Culture Sécurité Industrielle Mégantic
We have obtained funding from private partners. We have the funds we need from that sector. The provincial governments' contribution is also very good, but we are still waiting for the federal government. For almost a year, we have been waiting for answers about funding for this project. We are still at the stage of discussions with Transport Canada.
4:45 p.m.
NDP
Robert Aubin NDP Trois-Rivières, QC
Are you getting more specific answers than those we usually get about the rail bypass?
4:45 p.m.
President, Institut en Culture Sécurité Industrielle Mégantic
Oh, oh!
I don't think I need to answer that.
4:45 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
Thank you, Monsieur Aubin.
We have about 10 minutes left. Do we want to do another round, starting with Ms. Block? Or does anyone have further questions?
Do you have a question, Mr. Hardie? Go ahead.
4:45 p.m.
Liberal
Ken Hardie Liberal Fleetwood—Port Kells, BC
I wanted to go back to the issue of data, because it has come up a number of times in previous studies, including this one. Somebody in one of the earlier panels talked about the granularity of the data. In other words, what kind of detail is there in the data that would be helpful to shippers and in their negotiations with the rail companies?
Mr. Johnston, maybe you could speak to that. Data is one thing, but what kind of data? What do you really need to know that you would like to have, practically real time?
4:45 p.m.
General Manager, Logistics and Planning, Teck Resources Limited
I think at the very end you referred to two different points. One is real-time data and the other is a reporting on what took place. Was that on purpose, or...?
4:45 p.m.
Liberal
Ken Hardie Liberal Fleetwood—Port Kells, BC
Well, as I understand it, the need for data is all about getting your head around what the railways have available in any particular part of the country in terms of rolling stock, etc., and how it's being used. You would have a reasonable expectation, if you ordered up some rail service, of what they would be able to provide.
This is what I took away from some of the earlier comments, not just today but in previous studies. If I'm not headed down the right track on that one, tell me what kind of data would be most useful to you going forward.