Transport Committee on Feb. 29th, 2024

[Robert Eaton]

I'm sorry, but I don't have any specific information on cost overruns.

I know our network development and state-supported departments work closely with the DOT on planning, forecasting and annual budgets at the state level. It's an annual process in terms of incremental investment over time.

[Chris Lewis, Conservative, Essex, ON]

Thanks very much. I appreciate it, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Peter Schiefke]

Thank you very much, Mr. Lewis.

Next we have Mr. Iacono.

Mr. Iacono, you have the floor.

[Angelo Iacono, Liberal, Alfred-Pellan, QC]

I move to adjourn debate on the motion of my colleague across, Mr. Strahl.

[Taylor Bachrach, NDP, Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC]

On a point of order, I heard Mr. Strahl say the motion is moved. I think he meant to put it on notice. Perhaps we could get clarity.

[Mark Strahl, Conservative, Chilliwack—Hope, BC]

I put it on written notice on Tuesday. I wanted to move it in the public forum, but I'm okay with our moving on to the....

We should probably have adjourned the debate prior to Mr. Lewis's questions, but I guess it's not a dilatory motion.

[The Chair, Liberal, Peter Schiefke]

From a procedural standpoint, I want to make sure we have the vote to adjourn debate on that for the public record.

Are all in favour of doing that?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Chair, Liberal, Peter Schiefke]

It's approved.

Mr. Iacono, you have six minutes.

[Angelo Iacono, Liberal, Alfred-Pellan, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I would like to thank all the witnesses for joining us this morning.

Mr. Pineau, can you tell us how high-frequency rail could help the government meet its environmental objectives?

[The Chair, Liberal, Peter Schiefke]

I think Mr. Pineau is no longer connected. Unfortunately he had something else to do.

[Angelo Iacono, Liberal, Alfred-Pellan, QC]

Okay.

Will I be losing the few seconds it took me to speak, Mr. Chair?

I would like to start over again.

[The Chair, Liberal, Peter Schiefke]

I will add the 20 seconds you've lost.

Mr. Iacono, you again have six minutes.

[Angelo Iacono, Liberal, Alfred-Pellan, QC]

You are very kind, Mr. Chair.

I will ask my next question.

Can you talk about the safety of passenger rail in Canada? Would HFR increase passenger rail safety, Mr. Eaton?

[Robert Eaton]

I'm not a safety expert, so I would look to Via Rail and your host railroads to talk about safety.

However, I know that, in the U.S. and Canada, safety is of primary importance—making sure the operation of trains is safe, as well as the public.

[Angelo Iacono, Liberal, Alfred-Pellan, QC]

Thank you.

Is it fair to say that the northeast corridor shows that, even in North America, high-speed rail can succeed, flourish and be the dominant public transportation mode in terms of market share? This is the mode operating on electric energy. It must have a large positive environmental and socio-economic impact, moving a lot of people efficiently.

Do you think it would be appropriate to have, similarly in Canada, what we're looking at doing between Quebec and Windsor, in the corridor?

[Robert Eaton]

We have demonstrated that the northeast corridor is operationally very successful. Our ticket revenue covers the cost of our operations. However, it takes vast amounts of capital funding for the infrastructure, not only for the implementation but also the annual maintenance of it.

That being said, and as I said in my remarks, the U.S. government supports that infrastructure in order to benefit the public. There is a model for it in the U.S., so Canada can take the lessons from there and implement them here. However, it needs support from the federal government.

[Angelo Iacono, Liberal, Alfred-Pellan, QC]

Thank you.

Madame Lacoste, can you share with the committee how HFR will foster Canada's economic prosperity?

[Stéphanie Lacoste]

One of the ways is to provide quality service to the north shore as well as the south shore. As I mentioned in my opening remarks, given that the south shore is very densely populated, we think that if we create a hub in Drummondville and make sure that the train is more reliable, passengers will increasingly choose this means of transportation. This will certainly have a knock-on effect across Canada.

If we can make this a viable alternative, people will come around and opt for this means of transportation between cities.

[Angelo Iacono, Liberal, Alfred-Pellan, QC]

To continue in the same vein, what would you say about tourism? What would be the impact on tourism?

[Stéphanie Lacoste]

More and more people from major centres are looking to settle in the regions. Those who come to Drummondville, which is currently served by train, will be able to go to shows in Montreal or Quebec City and then return to Drummondville. The problem at the moment is the availability of service and the schedule, which means this can't all be done on the same day.

However, if this can happen, people will move to the regions, which will help us develop our economy. People will be able to keep in touch with their family and friends in the big cities. I think that, this way, we'll be able to better develop our regions.

The whole battery supply chain is coming to Centre-du-Québec. Consequently, this project will become necessary not only for tourism, but also for the workforce, in order to develop alternative energy solutions and meet the related targets.

[Angelo Iacono, Liberal, Alfred-Pellan, QC]

Thank you.

Mr. Eaton, when it comes to the future of transportation and its infrastructure, where do you believe governments, regardless of level, should be investing in regard to moving people safely and efficiently?

[Robert Eaton]

Speaking as a former mayor who actually built a train station in my community in central Washington, I think local governments, state governments and the federal government should be integral. Moving our people, as well as our goods, in an efficient way is very important. As I said in my remarks, it's productive time. However you define “productivity”, whether you're sleeping with your grandchildren or actually moving men and women in the business sector back and forth so they can be productive, it's important. I think, from a society perspective, we all should be leaning into it.

[Angelo Iacono, Liberal, Alfred-Pellan, QC]

Okay.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Peter Schiefke]

Thank you very much, Mr. Iacono.

Mr. Barsalou-Duval, you have six minutes.