Tony Valeri

[Port Security, April 28th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, as I just mentioned to the hon. member prior to this question, marine facility security is an important component of the national security policy that was announced yesterday. We will provide further details in the days to come on how my department will in fact move forward in the areas of port facilities.

We need to ensure, and we will ensure, that our ports are secure so that we can receive the kind of trade that we need to receive and do receive for trans-shipment into the United States.

This is a North American solution to security and it is one that will continue to improve over the years. Marine facility security is important and we will meet that requirement on July 1.

[Port Security, April 28th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, as the hon. member knows, July 1 is the date on which we are going to be meeting the international ship and port facility security code. It is an international code. In fact, what we have done is gone a step further. We have put in place a North American code which is in fact higher and more stringent than the international code.

As I said, in the coming days and weeks, we will put forward a program which will speak specifically to ports and port facilities to ensure that our ports can compete. In no way will we have a situation where our ports are seeing trade diverted to ports in the United States. We will meet that international standard, but we will do so on July 1.

[Port Security, April 28th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday's announcement goes a long way in terms of meeting our security challenges and our security needs.

The member continues to question the security at ports. I can tell members that marine security is a very big part of the national security program that was announced yesterday. I will be announcing in the next number of days a program and an initiative that will speak directly to marine facilities and ports.

[Port Security, April 27th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians are not being left unprotected. In fact, I would dispute that 100%.

The security of marine facilities is an important component of the national security policy. I will certainly be in a position to provide further details in the days to come. It continues to be a key priority in the overall transportation security.

I am committed to working together with our stakeholders in all modes to identify areas where improvements are needed and improvements are necessary. We will be there for our port facilities in the days and weeks to come.

[Port Security, April 27th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased with the new integrated approach to national security that was announced today by the Deputy Prime Minister.

The Government of Canada is strengthening our ability for surveillance, for co-ordinated on-water response. The ISP code, which we will meet on July 1, complements the strategy that has been laid out here. The code that we will put in place will meet and in fact exceed the international marine standard. We will have a North American standard. We will be there to assist our ports and our port facilities.

[St. Lawrence Seaway, April 27th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, this joint study essentially deals with the maintenance issues that are required to ensure that the seaway remains economically viable, which is what we need to ensure an effective seaway. It is important economically to this country. It is important to marine trade. It is important to ensure that we can meet our trade obligations on a north-south basis, and that is what this study is about.

[St. Lawrence Seaway, April 27th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, as I have said in the past, it is certainly clear that the seaway is aging and the costs of infrastructure are rising. It is important that the seaway remain economically viable. The joint study will assess the ongoing maintenance needs to sustain the existing seaway infrastructure. This study will not, and I emphasize will not, consider major infrastructure modifications such as the expansion of the seaway.

[Transportation, April 19th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, the government certainly is strongly supportive of the reflectorization of rail cars. We are working with our U.S. counterparts. We are working with the Canadian railway industry. We have to address the reality of north-south traffic with respect to rail.

Members on both sides of the House have approached me on this issue and the hon. member certainly has been very much involved in that process. In fact, it is the government's intention to have an announcement on this issue in a very short while to reflect the need for this type of activity to ensure safety on the railways.

[Air Canada, April 2nd, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, what we have today are the unions, the airline and investors around a table negotiating for an outcome that will be in the best interests of the company, and the workers, I might add.

What the hon. member is asking me to do is to comment on a hypothetical situation. I will not do that.

[Saint-Hubert Airport, April 2nd, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, as in every case, when the government receives proposals, they are under consideration. We are reviewing what is before us. I obviously cannot provide the member with a guarantee today in the House. I can only assure the hon. member that we are looking at it. It is in the best interest of the community and Canada to ensure that we have the kind of transportation system that contributes to competition and to efficiency in passenger and cargo, and we will take action.

I would like to thank the hon. member for the question and take it under advisement.