House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2021, with 49% of the vote.
Business of Supply May 7th, 2014
Mr. Chair, I am not sure how the minister can be comfortable when we heard testimony at committee from the largest train car manufacturer in Canada who said it would be impossible to achieve this replacement rate within three years.
Why did the minister issue a regulation, set a standard, which she knew could not be achieved?
Business of Supply May 7th, 2014
Mr. Chair, when the minister announced that DOT cars would be phased out within three years, what analysis, data, or evidence did she rely on to be able to ascertain whether those cars could be replaced or manufactured on time?
Business of Supply May 7th, 2014
Mr. Chair, is the minister aware that 85% of inspectors believe that air travellers have been exposed to higher risk as a result of Transport Canada's aviation SMS, up significantly from 2007, when 67% forecast this outcome?
Business of Supply May 7th, 2014
Mr. Chair, has the minister read the recent survey of aviation inspectors who work for Transport Canada?
Business of Supply May 7th, 2014
Mr. Chair, there are exactly 100 trained and qualified today?
Business of Supply May 7th, 2014
Mr. Chair, there are 100 qualified systems auditors today?
Business of Supply May 7th, 2014
How many, Mr. Chair?
Business of Supply May 7th, 2014
Mr. Chair, I am not asking the minister in general. I am asking her specifically, and here is why.
I asked the department, when it came to committee, to give us information. It says it has 142 full-time equivalents assigned to rail safety oversight. We sent this answer to the Auditor General of Canada, and here is what the Auditor General of Canada wrote back to me a week ago:
...we cannot provide any level of assurance on the information recently provided by Transport Canada officials. The Department does not specify how many qualified inspectors it currently has available to conduct audits.
I ask once again. Exactly how many qualified inspectors does Transport Canada have to conduct audits?
Business of Supply May 7th, 2014
Mr. Chair, that is actually quite astonishing. I guess the minister did not understand my question, because the Auditor General of Canada says in the Auditor General's audit, which was performed some six or seven months ago, that Transport Canada says it requires 20 system auditors to audit each railway SMS, for example, once every three years.
How many qualified system auditors are on staff presently? In his report, the Auditor General says there are 10 when the department says it needs 20, minimum.
Business of Supply May 7th, 2014
Mr. Chair, I will be splitting my time with the member for Wascana this evening in this first round.
I will begin by asking the minister exactly how many qualified inspectors there are at Transport Canada to conduct safety management system audits.