Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Transport.
The recent offer of CP to purchase the CN Rail network in eastern Canada has raised some major concerns. This is primarily because CP has already abandoned much of its routes in eastern Canada and indeed is competing with Canadian National Rail with its own D and H line which runs from New York City to Montreal.
Given this track record, what assurances can the minister give that this or any other offer will not lead to the abandonment of this main rail line which is so crucial to economic development in places like Moncton, the port of Halifax and indeed all of eastern Canada?