Mr. Chair, I appreciate the comments and the review of all we have accomplished and all we have tried to do with respect to rail safety over the past number of years. Of course, we can always do better. We will always strive to do better, and we will continue to take that path at Transport Canada. That being said, I am satisfied with the reaction we have been receiving to all of these protective directions, emergency orders, and regulations we are putting in place or announcing.
I will take a moment to show that it is not just internally that we should be happy with ourselves. Externally we have heard from people like Claude Dauphin, president of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, who stated:
FCM applauds the federal government's response to the tragedy in Lac Mégantic and to the rail safety recommendations that emerged from it.
He went on to say:
The government's commitment to increase the safety of the transportation of dangerous goods, and to require shippers and railways to carry additional insurance, directly respond to calls from FCM's national rail safety working group.
As well, it is important to note that Rebecca Blaikie, who is the NDP president, said on April 23, in response to our comments to the Transportation Safety Board, that she thinks this is a step in the right direction. She said she was glad to see the government taking action.
The member for Brossard—La Prairie also said:
It is a good move. It is a step in the right direction.
He also said that the three-year period is the best thing that can be done.
The mayor of Lac-Mégantic, with whom we have a very good relationship, a respectful one, and it is important for us to consult with her, as she is the centre of so much of what's been happening recently in rail safety, said she was satisfied with the new measures from the federal government.
The chair of the Transportation Safety Board said she was encouraged by our strong response to the board recommendations.
Claude Dauphin also said:
The new safety measures announced today respond directly to our call for concrete action and are another major step forward in improving the safety of Canada's railways and the communities around them.
I also want to thank the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs, which commended us for requiring emergency response assistance plans for the shipment of crude oil, ethanol, and other flammable liquids by rail. It is something they asked for. We are continually encouraged by the fact that they will work with us on this matter as we move forward.