I call this meeting to order.
Welcome to the fourth meeting of the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. Today's meeting is in hybrid format, pursuant to order made by the House on Thursday, November 25, 2021. Members of the committee may participate in person or via the Zoom application.
I will take this opportunity to remind all participants and observers of this meeting that taking screen shots or photos of your screen is not permitted.
Given the ongoing pandemic situation, and in light of the recommendations from public health authorities as well as the directive of the Board of Internal Economy on January 28, 2022, to remain healthy and safe, the following is recommended for all those attending the meeting in person.
Anyone with symptoms should participate by Zoom and not attend the meeting in person. Everyone must maintain two-metre physical distancing whether seated or standing. Everyone must wear a non-medical mask when circulating in the room. It is recommended, in the strongest possible terms, that members wear their masks at all times, including when seated. Non-medical masks, which provide better clarity over cloth masks, are available in the room. Everyone present must maintain proper hand hygiene by using the hand sanitizer at the room entrance. Committee rooms are cleaned before and after each meeting. To maintain this, everyone is encouraged to clean surfaces such as the desk, chair and microphone with the provided disinfectant wipes when vacating or taking a seat.
As the chair, I will be enforcing these measures for the duration of the meeting, and I thank members in advance for their co-operation.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted by the committee on Monday, January 31, 2022, the committee is meeting to study railway safety.
We have two panels today.
Witnesses appearing in the first panel are from the Canadian Transportation Accident Investigation and Safety Board. We have Kathleen Fox, the chair, as well as André Lapointe, chief operating officer.
For the second panel, we have from the City of Calgary, Gian-Carlo Carra, city councillor; Chris J. Apps, director of the Kitselas Lands and Resources Department, Kitselas First Nation; and representing the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference, we have Lyndon Isaak, president.
As I said, the committee will be continuing its study of railway safety and the impacts of rail operations on neighbouring communities and properties. Members have agreed that witnesses be given five minutes for their opening statements and, wherever possible, that witnesses provide the committee with their opening statements 72 hours in advance.
Ms. Fox and Monsieur Lapointe, welcome to the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities.
We will now begin by turning over the floor to you for your opening remarks.