Hello and thank you, Mr. Chair.
I want to thank the committee for inviting me here today.
To begin, let me say a bit about the organization I represent. The CCIQ has 4,200 members. Our role is to raise awareness, mobilize and take action to promote economic development for our members and the community. The CCIQ is the largest group of business people in Eastern Quebec, which I am representing today.
Committee members, I am here to say that the people of Quebec City—a million people in the region—have been waiting a long time for a proper rail link with the metropolis of Quebec, the federal capital, and the metropolis of Ontario. We want high-speed, high-frequency and reliable service. This is especially true for business people.
Such a link is vital to the economic development of the greater region of Quebec's national capital, because Quebec City, our national capital, is isolated from other metropolitan areas. In an era of interconnection, this is a significant problem for its economy and for public mobility.
Quebec City is the national capital and home to the National Assembly, Laval University and various other postsecondary institutions, a world-class technology park, manufacturing, insurance and other sectors that are thriving, not to mention our expertise in video game development and a growing tourism sector.
So the Quebec City region has a lot of potential and talented business people. To fully realize that potential, however, Quebec City cannot be an island unto itself. People in business and the public in general need proper transportation to other centres. We need 21st century infrastructure that is strong, reliable and supports business operations.
Right now, there are 33 trains leaving Quebec City every week, with about seven of those leaving daily for Montreal, but no evening departures. The service is limited. Moreover, although the departure time is known, the arrival time is uncertain, in part because there are no dedicated lines. This uncertainly makes it extremely difficult to plan business meetings and limits our ability to conduct business.
The regular delays make it difficult if not impossible to rely on the train as a good way to travel between Quebec City and Montreal, so people choose to drive. That has to change. The people of Quebec City need reliable and efficient service. They need high-speed rail. The line between Quebec City and Montreal clearly needs to be high-speed.
While we are all in favour of high-frequency rail, we also have to consider speed. Right now, the trip from the Quebec City station to Montreal central station takes three hours and ten minutes on average, and that is when Via Rail is not behind schedule. That travel time needs to be cut down significantly. That is the only way to change the habits of people who currently travel by car because they claim it is more convenient for them.
Studies, including one conducted by France's national rail company, conclude that the smallest metropolitan regions benefit more from high-speed rail that links them to larger cities and catchment areas. So Quebec City would derive greater benefits for its economy.
Improving the rail service will of course bring consumers together, including tourists, and will make it easier to attract and retain workers in all sectors of the economy. With full employment in the Quebec City region, improving access will make job opportunities more attractive.
This project will be a real boost for recruiting the best talent in all sectors, including universities and the science and cultural sectors. High-speed and high-frequency rail would also be a strong asset when it comes to attracting and retaining company headquarters in Quebec City, which in turn would have major economic spinoffs. If rail service helps attract people here, it will also open the door to metropolitan areas and the world of business.
When it comes to transportation, we know that demand is influenced by supply. The better the availability, the more people will use it. This project must come to fruition. We have to be rigorous as well as ambitious. A lack of vision and action would have major repercussions for decades to come. Action is needed.
The time has come to improve the link between Quebec City, Montreal and Toronto with high-speed, high-frequency and reliable rail service.