Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Transport. The Quebec City bridge has been designated a historic monument by the American Society of Civil Engineers and is one of the finest engineering structures in Canada. This bridge, which was built between 1900 and 1919, now needs major repairs which, according to experts, would cost $45 million over a six-year period.
Since the owner, Canadian National, did not allocate the resources needed to keep it in good condition, the bridge has deteriorated considerably.
Given the importance of the Quebec City bridge as a rail link between the two shores of the St. Lawrence at Quebec City and its historic and tourist potential for that region, does the minister not think that this bridge should undergo major repairs and that the work should start as soon as possible?