House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2000, with 67% of the vote.
Airport Safety December 3rd, 1997
Mr. Speaker, the managers at Nav Canada are well aware of what the standards are and what the minimum level of service is. They are meeting that level of service and they are doing it extremely well. I would ask the hon. member perhaps not to implicate himself in management-labour negotiations or disagreements here in the House of Commons.
Airport Safety December 3rd, 1997
Mr. Speaker, the whole point of establishing Nav Canada as a not for profit agency was to remove it from the day to day operations of the government, but we do oversee safety. The Department of Transport is convinced that over the past year Nav Canada has provided a seamless service to Canadians that is safe and secure. This is something that the managers at Nav Canada pride themselves upon. I would ask the hon. member not to alarm people unduly. Nav Canada has this matter well in hand and the matter is being looked after.
Transport December 3rd, 1997
Mr. Speaker, despite all the mischievous rhetoric of the hon. member, I can assure him that there has been no change in the policy, no change in the regulations, no change in enforcement.
When he has a view on these particular matters, he should let the Canadian Transportation Agency know his feelings and they will be taken into account, as will the feelings of all the stakeholders. Not one Canadian is going to be affected this Christmas. Not one Canadian is going to be affected until regulations are approved by the Government of Canada and that is not forthcoming at this time.
Transport December 3rd, 1997
Mr. Speaker, I welcome the hon. member's question and welcome the point of emphasizing not only to him but to the Canadian public that there has been no change in the government's policy with respect to air charters. There is no change in regulations.
There has been no change in the enforcement. There is a process by the Canadian Transportation Agency to consult with stakeholders on future regulations that, even if they did come to me, would have to be approved by cabinet. Let us not alarm Canadians.
Transport December 2nd, 1997
Mr. Speaker, we are indeed very pleased about this agreement because it does give new opportunities to the airline cargo industries in both countries.
Prior to the negotiations with China I instructed my officials to develop guidelines for application in Canada. Once I have those guidelines I will immediately move on designating an air carrier to handle the cargo trade with China.
Transport December 2nd, 1997
Mr. Speaker, to the contrary. What the CTA regulations intend to do is further liberalize the air charter industry.
In any event, this shows the process works, because the CTA has gazetted its proposed regulations, inviting public comment. The hon. member and others are giving that comment. That gives an informed debate to a very interesting and important issue.
Transport December 2nd, 1997
Mr. Speaker, the government is not in the process of reregulating the air charter industry.
What is happening is quite normal. The Canadian Transportation Agency reviews periodically all the regulations. It has solicited public reaction to a certain set of proposed regulations. Those are now available for comment by the general public. Then they are presented to me as minister. No regulatory change will be made without a cabinet decision.
I would ask the hon. member not to believe everything he reads in the newspapers.
St. Lawrence Seaway December 1st, 1997
Mr. Speaker, I do not think it is appropriate for a minister to give instructions to a crown agency such as the St. Lawrence Seaway in terms of dealing with its employees. I am sure, knowing the management of that body, that it will be dealing with its employees in a fair and just manner, taking into account the financial situation of the seaway and the general economic climate at the time.
Ports Canada November 25th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, by now the hon. member would have seen a press release from Ports Canada which answers his question. The fact is that the port police across the country are being wound up. The individual in question is terminating his job at the end of this year.
On the matter of the complaints that have been filed, the RCMP has evaluated them and has opened an investigation. It would be imprudent for me to say anything further.
Highway System November 25th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, this is an issue of growing importance given the amount of trade between Canada and the United States and of course going into Mexico.
Transport Canada has successfully co-funded projects to automate border crossings at Windsor and Fort Erie and we are also trying to explore the use of intelligent transportation systems to facilitate the movement of goods and people.
When we talk about NAFTA highways we are not just talking about paved asphalt. We are also talking about rail links and the integration, the intermodality between the various forms of transport. This is a priority for our government that we will have to work further on in the months ahead.