Mr. Speaker, the federal government subsidizes VIA Rail to the tune of over $800,000 a day.
Last spring VIA ran a 50 per cent off special. The consequences of this action were twofold. First, privately run bus companies were forced to lay off workers due to the fact they could not compete with twice subsidized rates. Second, the Canadian taxpayer ended up paying for the 50 per cent cuts. Now VIA is at it again offering 50 per cent off rates for the winter and the fall.
My question is for the Minister of Transport. When will he do the responsible thing and put an end to this grotesque abuse of taxpayers' dollars?