House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2000, with 67% of the vote.
St. Lawrence Seaway May 10th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, this is a question of management by the St. Lawrence Seaway corporation. Transport Canada's responsibility is to review safety and to ensure that we are complying with all the standards.
In this case, there is no reason to question the decision of St. Lawrence Seaway management.
Agriculture May 10th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, as the hon. member knows, the whole question of western grain transportation is exceedingly complex.
What we did in Bill C-34 was start to move to a more competitive system in the tendering out of contracts by the wheat board. This particular legislation is working. There is an improvement in the transportation of grain.
As the review unfolds in the next year and as we bring forward amendments to the act, the hon. member can address those concerns in a more meaningful way.
Agriculture May 10th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member is asking me to reflect upon a decision made by the Canadian Transportation Agency to deny running rights for shortline railways on CN and CP tracks.
I might advise the hon. member that there is a panel that is due to report to me in July, the Canadian Transportation Act review panel. There are very prominent people on this panel. They will be addressing this particular issue, as instructed by parliament in the debate on Bill C-34.
Grain Transportation May 10th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member is being highly selective. He is only quoting the single car rate. He is not taking into account the rebates and other incentives the railways are offering.
I would ask him to do some mathematics. He will find out that the savings that we predicted are indeed being realized.
Grain Transportation May 10th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, I believe that Bill C-34, passed before the last election, was one of the more successful pieces of legislation in restoring some equilibrium with respect to pricing of grain on the prairies.
Under that legislation farmers, the producers, will be receiving about $175 million in benefits. I believe the figure the hon. member has calculated is wrong in the sense that he did not include all the various components of the cost.
Grain is moving. It is moving better than it was before. I am sure there will be more improvements in the future.
Water System Construction In Sept-Îles May 9th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, I have answered this question many times in the House of Commons. There is obviously a problem. Transport Canada wants to help the residents of Sept-Îles, who have a real problem. We have offered solutions and we are prepared to work with the provincial government and the citizens of Sept-Îles to find a lasting solution.
Division No. 91 May 8th, 2001
moved that the bill be concurred in.
Transport May 8th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, this is consistent with their right wing friends for cabotage.
However let me say this. The United States government, the United States carriers and the United States air unions are not interested in serving point to point within Canada. There is some limited interest on the part of Virgin Atlantic to do that.
Once we allow any of those foreign carriers in, we know what they will do. They will run on the main trunk routes where the money is to be made: Toronto to Vancouver and Toronto to Calgary. Who will suffer? It will be WestJet. It will be Canada 3000 and it will be Air Canada.
Transport May 8th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, I would like to say that the air restructuring process has gone remarkably well because there is competition. There is choice on all major city fares in Canada and prices have come down.
The problem with Roots Air is indeed distressing to all of us that want competition. The commissioner of the competition bureau has said that he will treat this as a full merger and will look into it.
As Minister of Transport empowered under the act that was passed last year, Transport Canada has the ability to look into the public interest. We are very concerned about this development.
Multiculturalism May 4th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, I believe I have answered the question. If the hon. member is so persistent and wants to talk about character flaws, and his colleague says that we should show some leadership, I would ask the members opposite to look at the character flaws of their own leader who has not had the decency to make an apology to a Quebec judge.