Jean Lapierre

[Transport, April 4th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, first, the hon. member should realize that Oshawa has a harbour and it is working very well. As a matter of fact, it is making a profit right now. He should not tell the House untrue things.

The reality is that we will be making a decision on property that is not being used at this time. We will do it as soon as possible but with the municipal authorities, and they are not easy to get along with.

[Transport, April 4th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, that is because I am not alone in deciding. We happen to be in discussions with the City of Oshawa and with the port authority. We want to make sure the decision is fair for everybody. We are consulting and at the end we will make the right decision. We do not have to be in a rush. We will make the right decision.

[Transportation Amendment Act, March 24th, 2005]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-44, an act to amend the Canada Transportation Act and the Railway Safety Act, to enact the VIA Rail Canada Act and to make consequential amendments to other acts.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

[Montreal Airport, March 23rd, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, I agree that airport rents are an integral part of what is termed the development of aviation and air travel. Obviously, in the coming weeks and months, we are going to continue to work with our colleagues to ensure that there is a fairer formula. I believe the government is committed to that, as is the Minister of Finance, and we will deliver the goods, as usual.

[Montreal Airport, March 23rd, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, the situation of ADM and other Canadian airports is of concern to me. Obviously my colleague in Finance and I continue to hold discussions in order to come up with a more equitable formula so as to ensure that the rent is fair and in keeping with the Auditor General's recommendations.

I would, however, remind the hon. member that, when it comes to leases signed by airport administrations throughout the country, a lease involves two parties. These leases were signed by people supposedly with good heads for business. We will review the situation, of course, but those leases do, after all, bear their signatures.

[Shipping, March 22nd, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, not only did I make that statement, but I make it again now: that ship met all international criteria. Transport Canada inspectors carried out the inspection. They required certain changes to be made. Those changes were made, and everything was done according to international regulations, despite what the hon. member is trying to say in an attempt to cast doubt on the system.

Transport Canada did its job. The ship left in compliance with international regulations. Let him stop putting doubt into people's minds and trying to make dangerous links.

[Transport, March 22nd, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, the member has to know that this question is before the courts so we cannot answer it. However, I feel a lot of sympathy for the people of Digby who are stuck with that group.

[Airline Industry, March 21st, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, maybe the hon. member would believe the National Post when it says, “As his Conservative critics should understand better than anyone in Parliament, politicians shouldn't be expected to come to the rescue when a private business falters”. This is from the National Post , not a Liberal publication and not a poll.

[Airline Industry, March 21st, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member should know that we are in a free market economy and this is a competitive market. I thought those values were Tory values.

What we are seeing now is an entrepreneur trying to succeed in this market, but he has not succeeded and he has been given the reasons why he did not succeed. There was a question of prices. There was a question of competition.

This is what the free market is all about, so what is the hon. member for? Government intervention?

[Canada-Gabon Tax Convention, March 11th, 2005]

moved that the bill be read the third time and passed.