Evidence of meeting #131 for Transport, Infrastructure and Communities in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was passengers.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Peter Schiefke
Thank you, Mr. Badawey.
Once again, I'm going to ask everybody to try to bring it back as much as possible. There is a lot of leeway that's already been given. You've actually done a very good job of, perhaps, giving a preamble that brings you to that point.
Conservative
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Peter Schiefke
Mr. Muys did a very good job. You did as well, Mr. Vis, and I ask you, once again, to try to do that with this particular line of questioning. It will be beneficial to the chair.
Conservative
Brad Vis Conservative Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon, BC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I just note that it was Mr. Badawey who raised the national trade corridors fund. I reviewed the 130 programs that the Government of Canada funded. None of them related to Via Rail or to passenger rail service. It was Mr. Badawey who informed me of the $4.1 billion. As you will note, Mr. Chair, all of my questions were related to the very fund that Mr. Badawey raised in committee first. If that was not out of order, how could my questions be out of order?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Peter Schiefke
Thank you, Mr. Vis.
I ask that, if there are any feelings that, perhaps, another member is not sticking to what the purpose of the meeting is, they bring that to the attention of the chair.
Conservative
Conservative
Brad Vis Conservative Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon, BC
Mr. Hutton, in the case that Abbotsford actually receives reliable and rural Via Rail services one day—if and when we ever get that service—we will have to consider the impact of pump stations and of our existing rail lines to serve passengers, and of reliable infrastructure for the people of British Columbia. If the City of Abbotsford wants to prepare for that eventuality one day, what fund should they be looking at to ensure that they have the requisite infrastructure in place that is not only climate-resilient but able to serve the future passengers of Via Rail in the Fraser Valley, which also serves as one of the most critical trade corridors of the entire country?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Peter Schiefke
Is that to one person in particular, Mr. Vis? It is a very good question, and I want to make—
October 10th, 2024 / 5:15 p.m.
Conservative
Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Policy, Department of Transport
The Canada community-building fund, which is administered by Infrastructure Canada, is an appropriate fund for PTs to apply to. That said, PTs are also able to apply as eligible proponents for the NTCF.
Conservative
Liberal
Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Policy, Department of Transport
There are no open calls at the moment for the NTCF.
Conservative
Brad Vis Conservative Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon, BC
When will the calls for proposals be open again?
Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Policy, Department of Transport
I think, Mr. Chair, that's something that will be considered by the government in the future, based on demand.
Conservative
Brad Vis Conservative Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon, BC
In the eventuality that Via Rail decides to operate in the Fraser Valley once again, has Transport Canada done any studies on the impact of our border crossing flooding and what impact that would have on future passengers of Via Rail?
Liberal
Stéphane Lauzon Liberal Argenteuil—La Petite-Nation, QC
On a point of order, Chair, this is not relevant.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Peter Schiefke
There are 20 seconds left. I'm just going to allow a quick response to this, please.
Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Policy, Department of Transport
I'm not aware of that, Mr. Chair, but I'm not speaking, either, for other departments that may have undertaken some work in this area.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Peter Schiefke
Thank you very much.
I thank Mr. Vis for attempting to make that link. I appreciate it very much, sir. I think you actually did a good job.
Next we go to Mr. Rogers. Mr. Rogers, the floor is yours. You have five minutes, sir.
Liberal
Churence Rogers Liberal Bonavista—Burin—Trinity, NL
Welcome to our witnesses today.
The passenger we had as a witness during one of our previous meetings.... I want to focus on the things he talked about—some of the frustrations, of course, and the things he endured through that 10-hour period. One question I asked him was in terms of the complaint process. Via Rail talked about how they received multiple complaints through a variety of means and so on, and that they respond to all valid complaints. I want to ask you, as officials, are you aware of Via Rail's complaint mechanisms and responses, and how they actually responded to the complaints of the passengers who were on that particular train, train 622?
Deputy Minister, Department of Transport
Part of the minister's request to Via Rail is for them to provide details on how Via Rail communicates with passengers and resolves complaints. What Via has noted is that they will ensure that there is 24-7 support to communicate information to passengers and to the public. Again, I think there is more that they will provide to us in terms of their response on customer service, but they made that initial commitment.
