House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2015, with 36% of the vote.
Rail Transportation December 3rd, 2013
Mr. Speaker, the health and safety of Canadians is a top priority for our government.
Railway safety regulations exist to ensure the safety and protection of the public. That includes, for example, a mandatory push-pull test. If these regulations were not followed, we will not hesitate to take whatever course of action is available to us.
CBC and Public Service Disclosure and Transparency Act November 22nd, 2013
There are a lot of them in the federal government, and you know it.
CBC and Public Service Disclosure and Transparency Act November 22nd, 2013
Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. As a reminder, proper names should not be used in the chamber, but instead should be referred to by either their position title or their riding.
Air Transportation November 22nd, 2013
Mr. Speaker, of course our thoughts continue to go out to the families of the victims of this tragic accident.
Our government is committed to strengthening aviation safety for all Canadians. Transport Canada reviewed the Transportation Safety Board report and our government has taken action to address the recommendations. Transport Canada worked with industry to develop these new regulations, which will improve the safety of offshore helicopter operations for both passengers and crew.
Rail Transportation November 21st, 2013
Mr. Speaker, the member would know that the minister and this government have been taking consistent action in light of the tragedy at Lac-Mégantic with new protective orders with respect to the testing and classification of crude oil products, and the communication of that important information; emergency directives on the transportation of dangerous goods by rail; and now a new protective directive on information-sharing with municipalities. All of that was done with our partners in the provinces and the FCM.
It is the FCM that said very clearly, “the federal government have now responded, and we commend them for it”.
Rail Transportation November 21st, 2013
Mr. Speaker, as the member well knows, this minister issued a protective directive directing rail companies to share information with municipalities. It ensures that companies who transport dangerous goods provide municipalities with information on the nature and volume of dangerous goods the company transports by rail through that municipality.
We did that by working with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, which said that the protective direction “sends a clear message that the Government of Canada fully agrees that local governments need to know basic information about dangerous goods being transported through their communities”. That was from the president of FCM.
Rail Transportation November 18th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, as I said earlier, Transport Canada continues to implement the Burlington report's recommendations. VIA Rail has committed to voluntarily installing voice recorders across its fleet, but positive train control is not part of the Transportation Safety Board's recommendation. Transport Canada is working with industry to look at possible fail-safe train controls.
Rail Transportation November 18th, 2013
That is nonsense, Mr. Speaker. Transport Canada continues to implement the Burlington report's recommendations. Positive traction control is not part of the TSB's recommendation, but Transport Canada is working with industry to look at possible fail-safe train controls. We continue to monitor the implementation of positive train control in the United States.
Rail Transportation November 18th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, first I would like to convey my condolences to the families of those who perished in this tragic accident.
The health and safety of Canadians is a top priority of this government. Transport Canada continues to implement the Burlington report's recommendations. As well, VIA Rail, as the member probably knows, has committed to voluntarily installing voice recorders across its entire fleet.
Intergovernmental Relations November 18th, 2013
On the contrary, Mr. Speaker, the Port of Quebec is an arm's-length organization, and as such is responsible for its own decisions. As a good corporate citizen, however, the port can consult the population when it comes to its development projects.