Mr. Speaker, my NDP colleague is absolutely right. People complain that the train does not go fast enough, at 40 km/h, because the tracks are worn out and poorly maintained. People want to be able to ship their goods. A number of executives and exporters in my riding prefer to ship goods by road, as the railways in our region are poorly maintained, and this results in more pollution.
Moreover, the ever-increasing price of gas does not help the SMEs and the corporations in our ridings, in my riding or my colleague’s, to make a place for themselves and win a share of the domestic and international marketplace.
I am proud that the NDP wants to upgrade Canada’s railway system. I just hope that the Conservatives will be able to deal with any price gouging that might arise from the CN and CP monopoly, but I do not have much hope for such a jaded government.