Joe Fontana

[National Safe Driving Week, December 4th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, this week is National Safe Driving Week sponsored by the Canada Safety Council.

To mark the 40th anniversary of this campaign which is designed to promote safe driving on Canada's roads, Transport Canada would like to take this opportunity to remind Canadians that road safety is everyone's responsibility.

The theme of the campaign this year is the hidden face of impaired driving. Impaired driving is still a serious issue. Recent statistics suggest that over 40 per cent of drivers killed in car accidents had been drinking.

Transport Canada has also been working hard to reduce death and injury on our roads through initiatives such as the national occupant restraint program and the introduction of mandatory safety equipment for vehicles.

All Canadians can play a role in promoting safe driving, which begins with safe driving practices. Drivers must take extra care to use safety equipment such as airbags and seatbelts properly. Exercising common sense when driving a vehicle, observing speed limits and respecting the rules will make our roads safe for everyone.

National Safe Driving Week is an important campaign and I urge hon. members to endorse its goals.

[Cn Rail, November 23rd, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, the fact that the government wanted to maximize the price for CN was the reason it wanted maximum exposure not only in Canada but in the United States and elsewhere.

We were able to achieve such a good price because of that very reason. Foreign holdings or foreign shares were capped at 40 per cent. That Canadians were able to purchase over 60 per cent of Canadian National bodes very well for the issue.

[Cn Rail, November 23rd, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for his great interest in this matter and the question.

As the member will know, this has been the most successful government issue in terms of privatization in our history. In fact the stock issue has gone better than expected.

The member will know that as anticipated it has gone so well that it looks like government may not have to keep any position in CN whatsoever. It will divest itself 100 per cent.

[Cp Rail, November 22nd, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member, who is a member of the Standing Committee on Transport, will have a great opportunity for his party to get on the record to help this government build an efficient and affordable railway system in the country.

If he wants to ensure that we have good transportation he will support the government's Bill C-101, which will make it possible in Quebec and across the country to build short line railways and make sure that customers and shippers can move their goods in an efficient and affordable manner so that the country can continue to build on the export business.

What the Bloc Quebecois can do for the country is help us build a great transportation system.

[Railway Transportation, November 21st, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, I am happy the member has just mentioned CN, because this government has privatized CN, the largest share issue in Canadian history, and it has gone extremely well. Over $2.2 billion will come back to this government and this country by virtue of CN's privatization.

Second, it should be noted that Bill C-101 builds on creating opportunities for the creation of short line railroads in Quebec and throughout the country, creating jobs, creating businesses. That is what the government is committed to doing, creating jobs and opportunities across the country.

[Railway Transportation, November 21st, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, it should be noted that the eastern headquarters of CP's operations will continue in Montreal. Over 2,500 good quality jobs for CP will remain in Montreal.

[Railway Transportation, November 21st, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, it is always regrettable when there are layoffs in any sector. I know how difficult job losses are for any community. However, this was a decision made by a private corporation whose board of directors had to take into account their competitive situation not only in Canada but in North America.

This decision made by CP affects a number of people across the country, including a 28 per cent change in Toronto, a 20 per cent change in Vancouver, and also a change in Montreal.

On the broader question of what is this government doing to ensure that we have a competitive, affordable transportation system in this country, the member will know, because he is a member of the Standing Committee on Transport, that we are determined to ensure that we have a competitive, affordable railroad industry so that our shippers and our customers can be well served and we can continue to create jobs in the export market.

[Air Safety, November 6th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the hon. member for his great interest in this matter concerning northern air travellers.

As he has indicated, the Transportation Safety Board has tabled its report. Transport Canada officials are reviewing the recommendations. Within 90 days, in the middle of January, the Transport Canada minister will make those recommendations known.

I can assure the member that Transport Canada and the minister will do everything possible to ensure safety in our airlines and ensure that northern air travellers have nothing to fear.

[Canadian National Railway, November 6th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, again I tell the hon. member that the layoff notices are temporary.

I am sure as CN moves toward privatization it will become much more efficient as a national railroad in the country. In fact there will be future job opportunities for everyone in Canada, not only in Quebec but in Winnipeg, B.C. and Atlantic Canada.

[Canadian National Railway, November 6th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for his question but I think he ought to get the facts straight.

The jobs being lost at Transcona in Winnipeg are only of a temporary nature. Therefore to assume that these are permanent layoffs by Canadian National would be inappropriate.

The hon. member would know that CN is on the brink of its commercialization and privatization. It needs to get its house in order so that it can be a competitive and viable railroad, providing service from sea to sea to sea and providing employment to all Canadians across the country.