Debates of June 5th, 2025

Main Estimates, 2025-26

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, University—Rosedale, ON]

Mr. Chair, the answer is yes.

[Xavier Barsalou-Duval, Bloc, Pierre-Boucher—Les Patriotes—Verchères, QC]

Mr. Chair, I like that answer. What remains to be seen is how soon we can expect to see the money. Will it come from existing funds? Will we see it in a future budget or perhaps even sooner?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, University—Rosedale, ON]

Mr. Chair, I have been the Minister of Transport for only a few weeks, but I want to reassure the member opposite that the issue he raises is really important. This is something we have talked about in the department. Right now, we are finalizing our plan. We understand that we have a responsibility to small and medium-sized businesses. We will be there for them.

This evening, I am not allowed to confirm exactly how we are going to do that, but I can assure everyone and all members of the House that we are going to resolve this situation.

[Xavier Barsalou-Duval, Bloc, Pierre-Boucher—Les Patriotes—Verchères, QC]

Mr. Chair, if the government intends to resolve the situation, that means we can expect the $9 million to be refunded to SMEs in Quebec and the $11 million to be refunded to SMEs in Canada.

However, can we also expect the return of the much-touted subsidy for zero-emission vehicles in general, beyond the money that was owed?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, University—Rosedale, ON]

Mr. Chair, those are different issues. I believe that my first responsibility is to resolve the situation and reimburse those who are entitled to be reimbursed. I want to assure everyone here tonight that we will do that. We are now finalizing the plan to do so.

As for the plan going forward, that is obviously a question for me, the Minister of Transport, but it is also a question for the Prime Minister. It is a question that concerns future financial plans. However, I believe that it is really useful and important to hear from the members and to determine whether there is support in the House for such a program. Perhaps this means that the Bloc Québécois will vote in favour of a budget that includes something like that.

[Xavier Barsalou-Duval, Bloc, Pierre-Boucher—Les Patriotes—Verchères, QC]

Mr. Chair, we will have to look at the entire budget to see whether we will indeed vote in favour of it. It would be helpful if there were positive measures for electrification.

Let us talk about electrification. The government made many promises during the election. Right now, we see that one of the Prime Minister's priorities is to meet with oil and gas companies and to try to ensure that new pipelines are built. However, we see that there is no firm commitment to the electrification of transportation.

Is the government still committed to electrifying and decarbonizing transportation?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, University—Rosedale, ON]

Mr. Chair, in connection with projects of national significance, we certainly are. We have already talked about high-speed rail. That is a very important project. It will decarbonize Canada. It will increase our GDP by 1.1%, which is a $35-billion increase. It is a truly ambitious project that our government strongly supports. I have to say that one of the reasons I am so pleased to be the Minister of Transport is—

[The Assistant Deputy Chair, Conservative, John Nater]

The hon. member.

[Xavier Barsalou-Duval, Bloc, Pierre-Boucher—Les Patriotes—Verchères, QC]

Mr. Chair, time is flying, and there is another topic I would like to discuss.

The minister must be familiar with Via Rail. Since October 11, 2024, its trains have been forced to slow down because of a dispute with Canadian National, or CN. Last December, the government asked CN to produce documents to justify its decision. Litigation made its way to the Superior Court. On April 23, the Superior Court ruling essentially said that it is not up to the court to rule on the matter. Rather, it is up to Transport Canada and the minister, who has all the powers to do so.

Will the government resolve this situation soon?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, University—Rosedale, ON]

Mr. Chair, I have already raised that issue with all parties concerned. Via Rail is a very important carrier for Canadians.

I have been the minister for just a few weeks, but we are working with everyone involved in this issue to resolve it.

[Xavier Barsalou-Duval, Bloc, Pierre-Boucher—Les Patriotes—Verchères, QC]

Mr. Chair, this situation has been going on since October 2024. We are in June, which means it has been more than six months, even eight months.

In the meantime, Via Rial is losing customers and keeps experiencing delays. It is a Crown corporation that falls directly under the government's authority.

Is the future of this Crown corporation important to the minister? If so, why is it taking so long to resolve the problem?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, University—Rosedale, ON]

Mr. Chair, I agree that this is an important issue, but I must insist on the fact that I am a new Minister of Transport. My colleague is talking about October 2024, but, as he knows full well, I made decisions between October and now that did not allow me to make decisions within the government.

However, today, as Minister of Transport, it is true that this is a very important issue to me. We have worked within the departments. We have worked with the key players. We will resolve the problem.

[Xavier Barsalou-Duval, Bloc, Pierre-Boucher—Les Patriotes—Verchères, QC]

Mr. Chair, how much longer are we going to wait before a decision is made? It has already been too long, in my opinion.

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, University—Rosedale, ON]

Mr. Chair, we will move quickly on this issue because we understand how important it is to Canadians and to travellers.

[Xavier Barsalou-Duval, Bloc, Pierre-Boucher—Les Patriotes—Verchères, QC]

Mr. Chair, the Canada Gazette has published new regulations for travellers' rights.

Can we expect these regulations to be implemented by the current government?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, University—Rosedale, ON]

Mr. Chair, travellers' rights are very imporant to us.

[Alexis Deschênes, Bloc, Gaspésie—Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine—Listuguj, QC]

Mr. Chair, regional routes are central to Via Rail's mandate. This year, according to the estimates tabled, the federal government will provide $383 million, which includes funding for regional passenger rail service.

In my region, the Gaspé Peninsula, rail service was halted in 2013 because the line was in such poor condition. In a few weeks, however, the rail line will be completely restored and safe between Matapédia and Port-Daniel.

Nearly 20,000 Gaspé Peninsula residents have signed a petition calling for rail service to resume. A motion adopted unanimously in the Quebec National Assembly calls for passenger rail service to be restored on the Gaspé Peninsula. This week, the Gaspé RCM wardens' table adopted a resolution asking for the same thing. In short, people want the train on the Gaspé Peninsula as soon as possible.

Does the minister agree with me that Via Rail must restore passenger rail service to Port-Daniel as soon as the line is operational?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, Minister of Transport and Internal Trade]

Mr. Chair, I would first like to congratulate the member for Gaspésie—Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine—Listuguj.

I would also like to thank my dear colleague Diane Lebouthillier for her hard work on behalf of Canadians and the people of the Gaspé Peninsula and the Magdalen Islands. She was the one who first brought this issue to my attention. I know this is a very important issue for the people of Gaspé, so I thank the member for his question.

As we know, Via Rail is an independent company with its own management. We work closely with the people at Via Rail, and I will certainly discuss this issue with them. I will also work closely with the municipalities and the province of Quebec. I understand the importance of this issue. I understand the importance of Gaspé, of a connection and of safe transportation.

[Alexis Deschênes, Bloc, Gaspésie—Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine—Listuguj, QC]

Mr. Chair, does the minister agree that regional connections are at the heart of Via Rail's mandate?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, University—Rosedale, ON]

Mr. Chair, as Minister of Transport, I recognize the importance of a respectful working relationship with Via Rail. Via Rail has its own management. We respect that.

I also want to note that it is very important now more than ever to ensure a rail service that is accessible to all Canadians, including in the regions.

[Alexis Deschênes, Bloc, Gaspésie—Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine—Listuguj, QC]

Mr. Chair, can the minister intervene and have Via Rail start the process to resume rail service between Matapédia and Port Daniel—Gascons?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, University—Rosedale, ON]

Mr. Chair, I believe I have already answered the question. I understand the importance of this issue and I am looking at it closely. Canada is a country governed by the rule of law, one that respects its institutions. It is important to respect—

[The Assistant Deputy Chair, Conservative, John Nater]

The hon. member for Gaspésie—Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine—Listuguj.

[Alexis Deschênes, Bloc, Gaspésie—Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine—Listuguj, QC]

Mr. Chair, Via Rail is funded by the federal government to provide regional rail service. The rail line will be operational in the coming weeks.

Does the minister agree with me that, under the circumstances, Via Rail should resume service to Port-Daniel—Gascons?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, University—Rosedale, ON]

Mr. Chair, I understand the question perfectly. I am new to the role of Minister of Transport. I am familiar with this issue, and I know that it is important. We will work on this file with Via Rail. It is also important to keep in mind that Via Rail has management that works with me—