Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Minister, as you're well aware, a little over two years ago two tugboat workers lost their lives in northwest B.C. due to a negligent company and a negligent government. They were on board a vessel that hadn't been inspected in its 50-year life, with safety equipment that had not been maintained by the owner, and the tugboat was not powerful enough for the task that its owner had given it.
The Transportation Safety Board has just issued a report. It's extremely angering to read about the negligence that took place, which cost these two men their lives. I know you share this concern.
The TSB has issued four very reasonable recommendations. One involves a requirement for regular inspections of tugboats under 15 gross tonnes. There's a suitability assessment requirement for specific towing operations, a requirement that the pilotage authority verify that requirements are met prior to issuing waivers, and a requirement that the pilotage authority also verify ongoing compliance.
My question is whether you will commit today to implementing all four of these reasonable recommendations in a timely way.