House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 1993, with 66% of the vote.
Pearson International Airport April 25th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, I want to assure my hon. friend that I am not disregarding the advice from important political leaders in the greater metropolitan Toronto area.
I have met with the chairman of metro Toronto, Alan Tonks, with the mayor of Toronto and with the minister of transport for Ontario. We are carefully considering the future of Pearson airport because, as my hon. friend says, it is an important economic development tool for all of Canada, not just southeastern Ontario.
Via Rail March 24th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, the decisions that are going to be taken with respect to the rationalization of services provided by VIA Rail are going to be taken from coast to coast, not just in the province of Quebec.
The negotiations that are being conducted right now with employees and with the management of VIA Rail are going to have a significant impact on what we can provide in terms of rail passenger services for Canadians within the restrictions that were announced a year ago in a previous budget and confirmed in the budget brought down in the House in February.
How well we do in these negotiations will have a direct impact on how much rail passenger service we can protect in the country, in Quebec and elsewhere.
Via Rail March 24th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, the document to which my hon. colleague is referring is an internal VIA Rail document. There is no question that the negotiations currently under way will determine to a large degree where service cuts will be made.
If there is no dramatic improvement in VIA Rail's ability to provide service within the budgets allocated by the federal government, then some major changes will certainly be made. However, no final decision has been made at this time because the negotiations are still ongoing.
Grain Transportation March 23rd, 1994
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member raises a question that is causing grave concerns in the industry for shippers, consumers and clients. We are trying to encourage a solution that will be arrived at through consultation among the various players. It is a very complicated matter, as the hon. member would know.
I am informed that the rail companies are trying to come up with some solutions because of the changes in weather and some cars that they would not have been able to use through the winter. Efforts are being made to find cars in the United States for lease. We are actively pursuing this. I recognize the urgency of it and we will do the very best we can.
Points Of Order March 22nd, 1994
Mr. Speaker, I want to rise on a point of order to respect an undertaking I made in this House on March 11.
On that date in responding to a question from an hon. member I expressed the concern many of us had about the safety of minivans as a result of some reports in the press. I indicated I would have my department look into the matter because it was a serious question.
I am now able to report my officials have informed me that testing results and accident data indicate that minivans offer a level of passenger safety comparable to that of other passenger vehicles.
I would point out for the benefit of members that there is no requirement for minivans to be equipped with bumpers because it has not been demonstrated they would improve the safety of vehicle occupants.
Mr. Speaker, I thank you for permitting me to respect the undertaking I made in the House several days ago.
Grain Transportation March 22nd, 1994
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the hon. member for his question.
We have gone through this before. As the hon. member knows, it was partly in response to his request that we were able to enter into a special arrangement that allowed for trucks to convey some of the grain.
The hon. member will know that the experiment was not terribly successful but we would want to look at any options that will allow for the efficient transportation of grain to market. We certainly will take the hon. member's comments into consideration and come to a decision.
Vancouver Port Corporation March 22nd, 1994
Mr. Speaker, once the hon. member is a member of a party that develops a bit of history, he also will be able to refer to people who have supported his party for a long time. It is certainly not something that any of us are looking forward to.
With respect to the decisions that are made by port authorities in various parts of the country, it is the intention of the government that local autonomy be an important part of any decision making process.
Beyond that, and I want to make it very clear, at the port of Vancouver, the port of Montreal or any other of the facilities under the jurisdiction of the Government of Canada we always insist on people being appointed who have a national vision of their responsibilities.
Vancouver Port Corporation March 22nd, 1994
Mr. Speaker, just to clarify a part of the questioner's premise in respect to the decision, I want to make it clear that the definition of what will be acceptable in any province with respect to gambling or casinos is within the purview of the provincial jurisdiction and that is what I meant in answer to that question earlier from the hon. member.
With respect to the criteria used in making nominations to any boards for which the government will be responsible, the primary consideration of course is competence.
Vancouver Port Authority March 14th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, first let me clear up a statement that was made by the member that I am sure he did not intend to mislead the House with and that is that the Government of Canada does not approve that particular situation. There is a local board that is autonomous and is appointed. It is made up of a number of representatives chosen in a very broad selection process.
The question of what will happen with that land, in my view, is far from determined finally because the Government of British Columbia will have a great deal to say about that. As he says, the law does not permit casino activities at this point. I think it is an opportunity for residents of the area to review the matter and make their views known to the Government of Canada, to the Government of British Columbia and obviously to the port authority.
However, there is certainly no final decision on this. I understand the preoccupation of the member as well as many of the people in British Columbia with respect to this particular proposal.
Vancouver Port Authority March 14th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, obviously the proposal that has been taken under consideration by the Vancouver Port Authority is not one that would allow through any measures that authority could undertake for illegal activity.
I do want to answer my friend by saying that one of the policies that we are following in this government, not only with respect to ports but also obviously as we move toward devolution of control for airports, will be to allow for local autonomy. One cannot have it both ways. I am sure that the people on the ground in the greater Vancouver area who have the direct responsibility for management of that area, both the real estate as well as the port, will take into account the best interest not only of that region but of the province of British Columbia and certainly would not be prepared to act in any way that would be contrary to the law.