Transport Committee on Nov. 9th, 2017

[Ben Lobb, Conservative, Huron—Bruce, ON]

I think that brings up an interesting point, then. Will the information that's collected be stored on a Transport Canada server or will it be stored on a CN Rail or CP Rail server?

[Lori MacDonald]

The company will own the equipment and the data that's collected, but there will be a very specific privacy framework around the use of that data.

[Ben Lobb, Conservative, Huron—Bruce, ON]

Is it the railways that pay for the recording systems?

[Lori MacDonald]

That's correct.

[Ben Lobb, Conservative, Huron—Bruce, ON]

Transport Canada doesn't pay for any of that.

[Lori MacDonald]

No. The companies will pay for that.

[Ben Lobb, Conservative, Huron—Bruce, ON]

The primary purpose—or the only purpose, I guess—for this was to ensure that in the case of a crash there's further information in order to be able to review it. Is that correct?

[Lori MacDonald]

There's more than one purpose for it. That is one purpose, for sure: to be able to review what happened in the case of an accident, as we've seen many cases where there are serious accidents, particularly where there are fatalities. I can think of one from a few years ago—I think it was in the Brampton area—when all three people on a locomotive were killed. It was very difficult to determine what happened in that situation. Certainly, the Transportation Safety Board would want to use that information in investigations.

[Ben Lobb, Conservative, Huron—Bruce, ON]

You also said in your statement that you believe companies such as CP Rail and CN Rail will be able to use that data for a spot check in auditing for safety. Is that correct?

[Lori MacDonald]

I wouldn't use that language. I would say that they can use that information that's pulled randomly to make determinations with respect to identifying trends, to issues they may be seeing in the cab that have an impact on direct safety of the program—

[Ben Lobb, Conservative, Huron—Bruce, ON]

Outside—

[The Chair, Liberal, Judy Sgro]

We're running out of time again.

Mr. Aubin, we have two minutes left.

[Robert Aubin, NDP, Trois-Rivières, QC]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I would like to come back to aviation safety. Earlier, I mentioned a 12% cut between 2015-16 and 2016-17, and I'm trying to determine where this cut had an effect.

What training resources have been removed because of this 12% loss?

[André Lapointe]

Are you talking about civil aviation safety?

[Robert Aubin, NDP, Trois-Rivières, QC]

Yes, I'm talking about aviation safety.

[André Lapointe]

I could give you a specific answer later about cash flow from one year to the next.

As I mentioned, projects often end during the year, and the funds decrease. In addition, there is an increase for inspection and monitoring staff.

[Robert Aubin, NDP, Trois-Rivières, QC]

So I'm to understand from your answer that, despite a 12% cut, none of the services were affected.

[André Lapointe]

I'll check about the 12%, but it could be projects. I don't have the details, but I'll get you this information.

If we end up in a situation where there is a budget cut—it can happen—we will allocate staff to the areas most at risk. We do this regularly in the case of all modes.

So I'll provide you with information on the cash flow later.

[Robert Aubin, NDP, Trois-Rivières, QC]

I have a question that may be a bit finicky, and if you have the answer, great, if not, we'll look for it.

How many hours does Transport Canada spend training an inspector who will be able to supervise pilots?

[André Lapointe]

You're talking about pilots—

[Robert Aubin, NDP, Trois-Rivières, QC]

I'm talking about pilots who supervise pilots.

[André Lapointe]

To train an inspector at the department, it can take six to eight months. They need to learn the rules. Someone from the industry, on the other hand, is already aware of the regulations and should be familiar with them.

As for the check pilots, we will be able to give you the details of the training, and the time it takes to train someone as a check pilot. However, if you look at different modes of transportation, whether it's rail, marine, or air, the periods may vary, but there is mandatory training, be it in regulations, investigations, and so on.

[Robert Aubin, NDP, Trois-Rivières, QC]

So the pilots you train at Transport Canada arrive with some expertise.

[André Lapointe]

Yes.

[Robert Aubin, NDP, Trois-Rivières, QC]

So, do the pilots hired by a private company who have to do this work with the pilots of the company in question receive the same training from Transport Canada before they do the work?