Douglas Young

[Lighthouses, June 2nd, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member undoubtedly raises a question which is of great importance to many people who do not understand what has happened in many other parts of the world.

With all due respect, all of us recognize the magnificence of the British Columbia coast, its harbours and bays and the tremendous amount of marine activity which takes place out there. I would simply suggest to the hon. member that he look at what happened on the west coast of the United States. It is very similar. The situation in the U.K., the United States, Australia and around the world is that technology is replacing human beings in lighthouses. It is going to happen on the west coast, but it will only happen when we take into account the safety and security of people who use marine facilities in that area.

[Lighthouses, June 2nd, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, for anyone to suggest that on the coast of British Columbia or on the coast of eastern Canada lighthouses are not essential would be totally irresponsible.

We have said that what we intend to do is to look at the staffing of lighthouses. The technology of 1994 has allowed the United Kingdom, Australia, the United States, countries around the world, including Canada on the east coast, to make major changes in how to protect and make sure that people who use the sea are safe.

The Department of Transport understands its obligation to people who earn their living on the sea or who spend leisure time on the sea. We have no intention of doing anything on the west coast of Canada or anywhere else that would put the safety of Canadians at risk.

[Transport, June 1st, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member brings a question of great interest to people who work on the railways, people who travel on the railways, people who ship goods on the railways. We have been through an extremely difficult winter.

The incidents that have occurred have been investigated, as the member would know, under the legislative and statutory requirements. We expect to respond to it. Both railways have indicated their very deep concerns about the number of incidents that did occur.

I will make sure, in response to the member's request as well as representations made by the unions and others, that we look very carefully at the matter because it is of very serious importance to anyone who understands what has taken place through this very rigorous winter.

[Point Of Order, May 30th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, of course, the respect I have for this House forces me to recognize that the phrase "to tell lies" or the term "liar" are unacceptable in this House. So I withdraw the word "liar".

[Point Of Order, May 30th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, you will understand that I find it extremely difficult to sit here and listen to the minister, or rather the MP, who was a minister under the former Conservative government before becoming the Leader of the Opposition.

Mr. Speaker, on December 11, in this House-

[Via Rail, May 12th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, the question put by the hon. member is an important one for people in New Brunswick.

Although it is very speculative in its nature, I can assure the member that as Minister of Transport we will expedite whatever legislation or modifications to existing rules are required to accommodate good railway service, both passenger and freight, in New Brunswick and in the rest of Atlantic Canada.

[Via Rail, May 11th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I say to the hon. member that I really do not know because we are not privy to all of the cost arrangements.

We have to find out first of all what we can release in terms of the commercial confidentiality. As the hon. member knows, VIA does business with both CN and CP. To make a comparison between the kinds of services provided to VIA by CN or CP with what happens with their own freight cars might require some work, but I certainly do undertake to get an answer back to the hon. member.

[Mil Davie Shipyard, May 10th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, nobody wants to see shipyard workers laid off. Practically all Canadians across the country know what happened in the shipbuilding industry in British Columbia, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Quebec. We know full well that we must try to maintain an industry that is important to Quebec and Canada.

However, in a project such as this, we must ensure that not only is the business plan tabled, but also that the financial

statements are in order, and that shipbuilding has a viable future not only for the shipyard but especially for the workers.

We are all working on this. We met with Quebec ministers. We are now trying to find the financial resources needed to arrive at the solution that I am sure my hon. colleague would like to see as soon as possible.

[Mil Davie Shipyard, May 10th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, as announced in the House this week, MIL Davie's business plan was filed only last week.

The hon. member rightly says that everyone is concerned about the future of the MIL Davie shipyard, but surely building the ferry for the run between Prince Edward Island and the Magdalen Islands will not be enough to keep MIL Davie going.

I wish to assure my colleague that the Government of Canada is trying to co-operate on this issue, but besides the recovery program for MIL Davie based on its business plan, financing would have to be found both for the ferry and for the "smart" ship. We are all concerned with this issue and we are trying to work as quickly as possible.

Nevertheless, we should point out that the financial plan was submitted only last week, as an opposition member indicated earlier this week.

[Esquimalt And Nanaimo Railway, May 9th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, it is going to be very important as we continue with this process of dealing with rail lines, both freight and passenger across the country, that people such as my hon. colleague understand what has to happen.

First of all with respect to this particular situation, we will have to look and see why there has been any refusal to provide information that should be available to Canadians. I undertake to look into that.

As far as the decision on whether VIA should continue to provide services on Vancouver Island, that is a decision that will be based on business principles, whether there is sufficient volume to be able to do it and to ensure that there are alternate means of travel as is the case when we deal with it right across the country.

I want to point out to my hon. colleague that there are many parts of Canada already that do not enjoy VIA passenger services for all kinds of reasons, usually because those particular services were found to be too much of a drain on the Canadian taxpayers who, I have been under the impression since I came into this place for this session of Parliament, were the major concern of the members of the Reform Party, to try to treat the taxpayers as fairly as we can.