David Collenette

[Transport, May 11th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, as I said earlier, this bill is the result of a process that has gone on for three or four years. It follows a general consensus among the provincial and federal governments to move toward freer movement of goods and people within Canada.

There have been consultations with all the provinces. It is true that there are some concerns on the part of various members of the transportation sector in the province of Quebec, as there are in British Columbia. On the other hand, other provinces such as Ontario are completely opposed to the position as outlined by the leader of the Bloc.

[Transport, May 11th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, the government has followed a process for three years. The result is the bill currently before the House of Commons for debate.

It is up to the hon. member and his colleagues to bring this up in debate. We will accept whatever consensus is reached in the House.

[St. John's Port Authority, May 10th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I would have thought that the hon. member, as a member of the transport committee which studied Bill C-9, would know what the law states. The law states that one member of the advisory group of the port authority is nominated by a province and one by the municipality.

The appointment of Mr. Woodward was the prerogative of the provincial government. The provincial government was well aware of what the law states and I understand that the provincial government has sought legal advice and believes that the appointment of Mr. Woodward is in compliance with the law.

[Agriculture, May 10th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I think it is somewhat premature to accept the opinion of one group of stakeholders without listening to all of the stakeholders.

I should say that in this whole process I have been much heartened by the fact that the four western provinces have been united in their support for a more competitive grain transportation handling system, including the Government of Saskatchewan, the hon. member's province.

I hope that this spirit of co-operation will continue forward so we can solve this very difficult problem that has bedevilled farmers' incomes for more than a century.

[Agriculture, May 10th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I will be meeting on Wednesday in Winnipeg with the various stakeholders to discuss the next step following Justice Estey's report.

We are looking at a process that would facilitate an implementation of Justice Estey's report. The government feels that Justice Estey has put together a reasonable group of recommendations that move us toward a more commercially oriented system for the haulage of grain.

I will not slam the door on any reasonable suggestion from any party at that meeting.

[Bill C-77, May 10th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I must inform you that there are other provinces—British Columbia and Ontario, for example,—that have another opinion on the matter.

I think the question raised by the hon. member is one for the committee that will be studying the bill and not for Oral Question Period.

[Bill C-77, May 10th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, we have this bill before the house right now for the purpose of debate and to raise questions such as the hon. member has just raised.

[Ports, May 5th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, the responsibility for reviewing an individual's name and qualifications from the provincial level is with the appointing authority. The province of Newfoundland has determined that Mr. Woodward has met the criteria as defined by the act.

I find it passing strange that the hon. member opposite would publicly denigrate in the House of Commons one of Atlantic Canada's leading businessmen. Shame on him.

[Rail Safety, May 4th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to publicly thank the people of Thamesville for their very timely action in helping all those who were injured and helping to save lives.

As I said earlier, Transport Canada is conducting an investigation independent of but complementary to that of the Transportation Safety Board under the Railway Safety Act and part II of the Canada Labour Code. As a result, we have issued a notice under the Railway Safety Act to CN to deal with what we call main track hand operated crossover switches in multi-track non-signalized areas, otherwise known as dark territory.

[Rail Safety, May 4th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, this matter has been raised at the transport committee by the hon. member. I have discussed it with members of the various unions involved. Certainly it is something that we take very seriously because safety is Transport Canada's top priority.

I certainly will undertake to investigate more fully the problems with marshalling yards to ensure that rail safety meets the very high standard that Canadians expect.