Douglas Young

[Rail Workers, November 2nd, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for that question because it provides me with an opportunity to explain to him and to the House exactly what was said.

I am from northern New Brunswick. From the time I was a kid I have dealt with railroad workers. I know who negotiated the contracts. I have listened to the stories of the people who returned from the war and had to negotiate contracts with the railway barons in the country.

What I said that night in Winnipeg was that never, no matter how much pressure is exerted on the Minister of Transport, will I ever point a finger at those men who worked very hard with very limited educations to find a way to negotiate collective agreements to protect their rights and to protect the rights of others who worked on railroads in the country.

I said that government had to take its responsibilities and management had to take its responsibilities. I did say, Mr. Speaker, because it was the truth-I remember Bill Dunn telling me exactly this in Tracadie in 1950-that it was very difficult for people with grade eight and grade nine educations to sit with people who were educated and who were in the pay of the railroads of the country and try to negotiate collective agreements to protect their rights.

I said then I would never attack the men who achieved that and I will not now because they did what they had to do to protect their rights.

[Conference On International Civil Aviation, October 31st, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to bring to the attention of hon. members that November 1 marks the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Conference on International Civil Aviation to be held at Chicago, Illinois.

It was 50 years ago tomorrow that representatives from 52 countries, including Canada, met to map the future of international civil aviation. Their deliberations led to the signing on December 7, 1944 of the multilateral convention on international civil aviation and the eventual selection of Montreal as headquarters for the newly created International Civil Aviation Organization.

The International Civil Aviation Organization is a United Nations specialized agency responsible for establishing international standards, recommended practices and procedures covering the technical, economic and legal aspects of international civil aviation operations. The organization's membership is made up of 183 contracting states.

November 1st is not only a proud day in the history of civil aviation; it is also a proud day for Canada. The International Civil Aviation Organization is the only UN agency with headquarters in Canada.

We were chosen as the home for this important agency because of our instrumental role at the Chicago Conference. Canada continues in its leadership role in civil aviation and remains a strong supporter of the International Civil Aviation Organization.

We salute those who gathered at Chicago five decades ago in the closing days of the second world war. In particular, I would

like to recognize three distinguished Canadians who took part in those deliberations and who are still with us today.

Former Ambassador Escott Reid helped draft the conference documents. He now lives near Toronto.

Mr. Jean Fournier, the youngest of the Canadian delegates to the Chicago Conference, now lives in Montreal.

Mr. Stanislav Krejcik was a member of the Czechoslovakian delegation. He is now a Canadian citizen living in the province of Alberta.

Canadians know firsthand the paramount importance that safe, regular, efficient and economical air transportation plays in building communities, and in contributing to development and economic well-being. We are grateful to the International Civil Aviation Organization for helping to ensure the safety and security of air transportation worldwide.

Commemorative activities, including flag raisings at airports across the country, will mark tomorrow's anniversary of the opening of the Chicago conference. And in December, in Montreal, we will hold celebrations marking the signing of the Convention on International Civil Aviation.

It can only be hoped that the same spirit of mutual understanding and co-operation that has made the International Civil Aviation Organization so successful for over 50 years will continue.

[Air Transportation, October 28th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I could not agree more. We all know that the Government of Canada and especially the Minister of Transport have a fiduciary responsibility with respect to safety. I can assure the hon. member and the travelling public that everything has been done to ensure that safety. If there are any deficiencies in the control system at the present time, we will look into it and act in the best interests of Canadians who use public transportation.

[Air Transportation, October 28th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, the issue raised by the hon. member is a very important one. The Department of Transport is responsible for ensuring passenger safety in all public transportation, and I can assure the hon. member that I will look into the situation he described, because we cannot afford to leave any doubt as to the quality of the inspections that are made and the carrier's responsibility to know and abide by all the regulations issued by my department.

[Crtc, October 28th, 1994]

Speak for yourself.

[Airports, October 24th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, the study is ongoing. It should be concluded fairly soon. I am prepared through you, Mr. Speaker, to undertake to the member and to the House that as the reports are completed we will make them public. They may not all be done at the same time. There are technical studies being done and whether they have to do with the airport construction in the future or the disposal of surplus lands. We will make the reports public as soon as they are completed.

[Ferries, October 21st, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague for his question because, as we all know, the safety of ferries is matter of a concern for the people of Canada.

The president of Marine Atlantic advised us yesterday that he would make a joint public statement with the Canadian Coast guard to reassure Canadians, especially as winter approaches, with its more severe conditions. This statement is expected to be made today.

[Ferries, October 20th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, we all understand the importance of this question. It is a very serious matter. We recognize that technology could have some problems.

As I indicated, I am meeting with the president of Marine Atlantic this afternoon. We have had the Coast Guard do an evaluation of the four vessels in question. The only thing I can hope for is that where these vessels travel as they conduct their conveyance of passengers and vehicles that they never run into the kind of hot wind the hon. member often comes up with.

[Ferries, October 20th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, of course everyone who knows about the tragedy which happened overseas understands the importance of the hon. member's question. We dealt with the issue immediately. We know that the British Columbia government was concerned about its ferries which might present problems. The four ferries, the four ships to which the hon. member referred have been

evaluated. This very afternoon, I will be meeting with the president of Marine Atlantic to assure myself that the necessary action is being taken in Canada.

[Pearson International Airport, October 19th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, you will understand my concern when you hear from whom the proposal came. The hon. member who asked the question has been quoted as saying that as far as he is concerned there is nothing wrong with the Pearson deal. Therefore anything he has to say about it certainly will be suspect in my mind.

What is very interesting with respect to the position of the Reform Party on this matter is that when we talk about the court system, I hear its members every day questioning the judicial system of the country. Yet when they want to protect their friends with a deal at Pearson they want us to go to court. Make up your mind.