Lisa Raitt

[Rail Transportation, February 24th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, Transport Canada has already removed the least crash-resistant DOT-111 tank cars. In fact, we moved far faster than anyone else has with respect to this matter.

Second, because of the nature of the tank cars between the United States and Canada, it is very important that we work in co-operation and coordination with the United States on these matters. That is exactly what the department is doing.

[Rail Transportation, February 20th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, VIA Rail's primary objective is to provide safe and efficient passenger service, but it has to do it in as cost-effective a manner as possible. The government has supported VIA Rail significantly since 2006. In fact, $1 billion in investment has gone into this passenger rail service.

We always ask VIA Rail how it plans to increase ridership and how it plans to improve service. It is its job to get it done, and we expect it to do so.

[Marine Transportation, February 19th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, we take the responsibility we have with Marine Atlantic very seriously. It is an independent crown corporation that is set up to deliver this service to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.

That said, our government has played a strong role in supporting Marine Atlantic in the past number of years. We have seen incredible investment with respect to both ferries and terminals. In my hometown of Sydney, Nova Scotia, for example, in North Sydney there is a brand new terminal being built there.

It is this government that is doing that. It is this government that is ensuring that Marine Atlantic has the ability to deliver on its mandate.

[Rail Transportation, February 19th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, in general, the health and safety of Canadians is our top priority.

There are rules in place for railways to operate within. If these rules are not being followed, then it is appropriate for Transport Canada to ensure that there is enforcement. If the community or the public understand that there is a problem in their area, they should report it to Transport Canada.

If what the member says is correct, that Transport Canada is not responding, I will ensure that they do.

[Canada Post, February 19th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, in Canada Post's five-point plan, one of them is converting to community mailboxes. It did have consultation across the country. It is now implementing it, and it is working with Canadian municipalities.

Indeed, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities had a resolution before it in 2014 in Niagara Falls, where it was proposed that it have the position that Canada Post maintain the current system of residential door-to-door delivery in Canada. The resolution was defeated, 311 votes to 185 votes. Municipalities agree with us that this is the way to go.

[Canada Post, February 19th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member, on the issue of what happened to this poor gentleman in Windsor, is absolutely correct. Canada Post has a responsibility that is very serious, and that is to ensure that community mailboxes have paths cleared to them. It was notified of this several times, according to the newspaper article. Our office has been in contact as well.

Converting to community mailboxes has an inherent responsibility to do so safely, and we expect nothing less from Canada Post.

[Health, February 18th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, we have discussed this matter with the Port of Quebec, and this is what I am told it has undertaken: a full review of the company's operation, installation of sensors in sensitive areas to ensure monitoring of dust emissions, fully operational sprinkler systems in transmission, and washing stations in order to ensure that vehicles returning are free of dust.

The Port of Quebec is working with its tenants to ensure that the citizens of Quebec are actually protected from this.

[International Trade, February 18th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, I would very much like to thank the member for Chatham-Kent—Essex for that excellent question. I would also like to commend the member for Essex, my parliamentary secretary, for all the great work that he has done on this project.

I can confirm for the House that an arrangement has been signed by all parties and all partners in the project to allow the U.S. customs plaza to be incorporated into the public-private partnership that will be building the other aspects of the bridge.

We said very clearly that we were not going to allow financial considerations to get in the way of having progress on this bridge, and indeed that is the case.

I think it is important to note as well that the entire amount will be compensated—

[Canada Post, February 18th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, Canada Post is implementing a five-point plan to ensure that it remains self-sustaining going into the future. One aspect of that plan is the conversion of one million households to community mailboxes. However, in doing so, and I want to be very clear, Canada Post has the obligation to work with the municipalities to ensure that the siting is appropriate.

I know that consultations are ongoing and I encourage Canada Post to continue on with that process.

[Official Languages, February 5th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, under the Official Languages Act, Air Canada is required to serve customers in the official language of their choice. We expect Air Canada to comply with the act.