David Collenette

[Shipping, March 10th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, I certainly appreciate the value of the cruise industry not only to the St. Lawrence but also to the Great Lakes. Last fall in my home city of Toronto we welcomed the first cruise ship in many years. We hope it is the first of many more to come.

This is a matter we are concerned about. We are interested in encouraging these cruise ships and we are making sure when they do come that health standards are respected.

[Shipping, March 10th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, we are very concerned about what goes on in ships in Canadian waters. The hon. member should know that the federal Department of Health has been concerned about some of the incidents of lack of hygiene on the ships. It is moving to try to bring in better standards to ensure that safety is paramount when these ships arrive at Canadian ports.

[Highways, March 10th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, I think I have gone out of my way to give the hon. member all the details as far as the federal government is concerned on this highway agreement.

I will try to get more answers for him so that he is satisfied. He knows, and I have acknowledged it in the House, that there is an issue that has to be dealt with in future agreements, that is the application of tolling arrangements.

I invite the hon. member to give his ideas on how we could effect a better policy for a national highway program.

[Highways, March 10th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, I have answered the question before. I have talked at length on this matter with the hon. member. I assure him that as far as the Government of Canada is concerned this agreement was executed faithfully.

New Brunswick discharged its end of the bargain. The federal government only paid for work once it was audited and the work was done in compliance with the contract.

[Trans-Canada Highway, February 24th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, the fact that the NDP is asking these questions three weeks after the issue was dealt with in the House of Commons shows its relevance in Canadian society.

The former minister of transport did nothing wrong and there is nothing wrong with this agreement. In future we should look at whether or not the issue of tolls should be included in federal-provincial agreements.

[Trans-Canada Highway, February 24th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, the short answer is no. As I have already explained to the House, the contribution made by the federal government has been deducted from the cost sharing that will be reflected in the tolls.

[Railways, February 23rd, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, we are very well aware of the concerns of farmers in Saskatchewan as well as others across the country.

In discussions I have had with the railways, I have alerted them to the need to be very sensitive about the way they go about the abandonment process. There is no organized or systematic plot going on, to use the hon. member's words, to abandon these lines before Justice Estey reports.

I think the hon. member should work with his commission. I think in the end we will see that the results will be good for all concerned.

[Railways, February 16th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, the railways have assured me that they are indeed very sensitive to the point raised by the hon. member.

It is very important that we allow Judge Estey the freedom to conduct his commission in an unfettered way. I am sure the result will be beneficial to everyone in western Canada.

[Airport Security, February 13th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, we intend to keep the RCMP at the airports in Montreal.

[Canada Shipping Act, February 11th, 1998]

moved that Bill S-4, an act to amend the Canada Shipping Act (maritime liability), be read the first time.

(Motion agreed to and bill read the first time)