Mr. Speaker, the safety and security across all modes of transportation is our government's priority and the safe crewing of Canadian vessels is a key part of that work. A Canadian vessel's minimum crewing complement and its qualifications are determined by Transport Canada marine safety and security officials. The marine personnel regulations are reviewed regularly and adequate amendments are made to reflect modern technology.
BC Ferries' Salish class vessels do not have unmonitored machinery spaces. This is simply not true. The three BC Ferries' Salish class vessels are equipped with technologically advanced machinery control and monitoring systems. This means that the equipment in the engine room can be controlled and monitored from a remotely located engine control room which is required to be continuously manned by a qualified engineer.
Transport Canada officials analyzed the matter and confirmed that a continuously manned engine control room is the equivalent of a continuously manned engine room. This arrangement of having a centralized machinery control station on vessels is becoming more and more common with technological advances. The Salish class vessels reflect some of the most recent advances in machinery monitoring and is used extensively in the marine environment and even in the warships of the Royal Canadian Navy.
In this structure, a qualified engineer and engineering rounds personnel are continuously monitoring not only the ship's engines but also the ancillary systems necessary for power generation, pumps and firefighting equipment. This construct permits personnel to respond directly from a central location and keeps passengers safe from a number of possible incidents.
Our government remains committed to ensuring that Canadians have a safe and secure transportation network. The member may rest assured that the engine rooms of BC Ferries' three Salish class vessels are adequately manned and that these ships are operated in a safe and adequate manner.