House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2000, with 67% of the vote.
Rail Safety February 5th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member knows that safety is Transport Canada's top priority. There is a trend toward elongated trains by the railways.
My officials have been on top of this matter since the announcements were made to ensure that safety standards are met. As of this point in time I have no information which would suggest that there is any compromising of safety.
This is an ongoing matter because we want to make sure that rail safety is indeed as good as we think it is.
Transport February 5th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, the government certainly agrees with the hon. member that should Maersk containers allocate Halifax as one of its ports of choice it would be good not just for Nova Scotia but for all of Canada.
The minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and I have said publicly that once the decision is made by Maersk it will be incumbent upon all levels of government and all Canadians to ensure this very worthy development goes forward.
Railways February 1st, 1999
Mr. Speaker, I know the hon. member feels very strongly about the issue. His concern is one that many of us have in our own ridings. However safety is paramount and there are exceptions made to the operating rules as they currently exist.
I am pleased that Bill C-58, which hopefully will get third reading this afternoon in the House, will make it easier for railways to allow whistles not to be blown pending resolutions of various local councils. Councils by resolution could request this and the law will permit the railways to deal with the annoying matter the hon. member is concerned with.
The Environment December 4th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, this government has a very comprehensive environmental policy that takes into account the concerns of the hon. member. Certainly I will draw her particular concerns to the minister's attention when she returns to the House on Monday.
Aviation Safety December 4th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, I would never provide the House with spurious information.
The government is all about informing Canadians and members of the opposition with the true facts. I answered the question the other week. We have indeed increased the number of inspectors. I do not deny that because of attrition there are vacancies. This is being addressed by retraining, reclassification and recruitment. The bottom line is that Canada's aviation system is indeed safe.
Infrastructure December 4th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, one of the great priorities of this government is to ensure the necessary infrastructure is put in place for all Canadians to enjoy a very decent healthy life. There are disparities across the country.
It was this government some years ago that brought in the $2 billion infrastructure program which involved the municipalities, the provinces and the federal government. It was up to local authorities and provinces to choose those priorities. This program could address the concerns of the hon. member.
Water Contamination December 4th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, we recognize that the Department of Transport was part of the problem and we have put measures in place to improve the situation.
We are working with local authorities to resolve the problem, and I think that in the future there will be a solution for everyone in the region.
Highways December 3rd, 1998
Mr. Speaker, these funding agreements actually came into place and they were terminated. Unfortunately what has happened in the last few years is that this government has been preoccupied with getting the books in order and dealing with the deficit. As a result, we need new funding for highways but not until the funds are available. I think we have to look at the long term commitment for highway funding that will deal with western Canada's concerns as well as those of the other provinces.
Highways December 3rd, 1998
Mr. Speaker, there were payments made to the member's province and other western provinces under the western grain transportation fund. There is of course the fact that money has lapsed in the highway funding for Manitoba and provinces west. This is something that has to be addressed at some point in time. That accounts for some of the differences. There were longer term commitments for some of the eastern provinces that were made before this government ever came to power.
Transport December 3rd, 1998
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member has taken great licence with what the auditor general said and he has made allegations about the former minister of transport, nothing of which stands up in public.
In fact, I challenged the hon. member yesterday to state this outside the House. He did not state this outside the House so that Mr. Young could have recourse to him.
Let me quote from the auditor general, because he is fond of quoting from the auditor general:
We found in all the negotiated agreements that the program objectives, funding levels and cost-sharing ratios to be maintained throughout the life of the agreements reflected the government's directives.
Those are the words of the auditor general. There is no wrongdoing.