David Collenette

[Railways, May 8th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, this report was received yesterday by us and by the Ontario and Quebec governments subsequent to discussions a number of years ago.

It is an interesting proposal. It does entail the expenditure of public funds. As the hon. member knows full well, I have been on the public record as saying that VIA Rail, the passenger service, should seek funding from the private sector for its capital needs.

The hon. member is a member of the transport committee that is studying this very issue. I would ask him and his colleagues to look at the proposal and give us advice. In the meantime I am reviewing it and I will be discussing it with my colleagues.

[Rail Transportation, May 7th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, I have just received the Bombardier report. It is a long and complex proposal. It must be studied in the context of our review of policy on shared rail services.

As the hon. member knows, the Standing Committee on Transport is currently studying the situation. I eagerly await the committee's recommendations.

[Transport, May 6th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, we regret very much that the air traffic controllers have rejected a settlement that has been negotiated by their union representatives, but Nav Canada has said it will go back with the union representatives to look at other changes that can be made.

It is very premature to start talking about labour disruptions when the process has not come to a conclusion.

[Transport, May 5th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, there is no doubt that this is a burning issue in western Canada, especially among farm groups. For that reason the government has decided to provide facilitation services between community groups and the railways so that short lines are being used for purposes grain farmers would like them used to haul those commodities.

We think this will result in a more equitable situation for all farmers in western Canada. The government is pleased to do its part in helping this along.

[Department Of Fisheries And Oceans, April 24th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, I am somewhat amazed at the charges made by the hon. member. I am sure that my colleague will be equally amazed. If the member has some substantive information on these allegations, she should provide that to the minister so he can respond very quickly.

[Highways, April 24th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, the commitment was made before the hon. member drew the valuable options to our attention with respect to highways and the construction of highways in New Brunswick. As a result we now have to look at that particular agreement to see that it does reflect the concerns the member raised. This does not mitigate the points the member made earlier, but we will certainly look at it before any money is sent.

As the member knows, the money is only paid once the work is done. There is still time to realize the objectives he has raised in the House.

[Highways, April 24th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, the federal government has agreed to allocate more funds to the Canada-New Brunswick highway agreement. It will take three years. It will cost about $150 million in terms of the federal contribution in that period of time. That is to afford the valuable twinning of the Trans-Canada Highway from the Quebec border into the Fredericton area.

This is good for tourism and it is good for the economy. It shows how this government is committed to putting funds into Canada's highways.

[Fisheries, April 24th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, my colleague has consulted widely with provinces and stakeholders, as we all do when we are bringing in new legislation. Obviously parliament will have its opportunity to give its input when legislation is introduced. If the hon. member has any specifics that he would like contained in any potential legislation I am sure my colleague would be most accommodating.

[Fisheries, April 24th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, my colleague, the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, is very concerned about this matter. He is taking his time and deliberating on it very seriously before bringing in the required legislation.

[Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1998, April 24th, 1998]

moved that Bill C-32, an act respecting pollution prevention and the protection of the environment and human health in order to contribute to sustainable development, be read the second time and referred to a committee.