Mr. Speaker, it is true that Transport Canada is reviewing these guidelines. As such, we welcome input from all members of Parliament, indeed from all Canadians across the country, with respect to changes that are being considered.
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Transport February 5th, 2015
Mr. Speaker, it is true that Transport Canada is reviewing these guidelines. As such, we welcome input from all members of Parliament, indeed from all Canadians across the country, with respect to changes that are being considered.
Health February 4th, 2015
Mr. Speaker, my understanding is that the port of Quebec, which is arm's-length from the government, is working with its tenants to ensure that it is operating in a way that is sensitive to the environment around it.
I know it meets with its tenants. I know it meets with the community on these issues. I encourage it to continue to do so.
Canada Post February 4th, 2015
Mr. Speaker, my understanding from Canada Post is that, indeed, it is consulting with Canadians across Canada.
However, I would like to take the rest of this opportunity to point out that perhaps the NDP members should consult with taxpayers about whether they plan on paying back the money that they used in their budgets.
Canada Post February 4th, 2015
Mr. Speaker, as I have said many times in the House, Canada Post is an arm's-length independent crown corporation, with the responsibility to ensure it operates on a self-sufficiency basis. In doing so, it needs to ensure that it makes up for the loss of revenues associated with simply fewer letters being delivered in Canada.
As a result, it has a five-point plan. In this five-point plan, it is taking action to ensure that, in the future, Canada Post will be there to serve our needs.
Rail Transportation February 4th, 2015
Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs for being such a great resource. They make sure that, on the advisory council associated with the transportation of dangerous goods, they give the input that is needed.
We work very closely with firefighters and fire chiefs to ensure that they have the information and the ability to inform the people they work with of the dangers associated with the transportation of dangerous goods. We will continue to work with them, we value their advice, and we will make sure that we keep them as safe as we can.
Canada Post February 3rd, 2015
Mr. Speaker, as the hon. member knows, the following are the facts. There are fewer pieces of mail being delivered now than in 2013. Indeed, 1.2 billion fewer letters are being delivered. Canada Post has a responsibility to make sure that it is self-sustaining. As such, it developed a five-point plan. It is executing that five-point plan to ensure that it will continue to give good value for taxpayer dollars.
Rail Transportation February 3rd, 2015
Mr. Speaker, the safety and security of Canadians is Transport Canada's top priority.
That is why it has been taking strong action with respect to these matters. In particular, it has hired more inspectors. If members take a look at websites in Canada, they will see that there are many positions out there that the department is seeking to fill right now. We encourage people who are interested in that line of work to indeed take it up.
That being said, our government has invested heavily as well, investing some $100 million in rail safety. We take this commitment very seriously and will continue to work on the matter.
Rail Transportation February 2nd, 2015
Mr. Speaker, perhaps the member is referring to the possibility that there will be some strike action at CP in the coming weeks. In cases where there is strike action, it is important for the House to note that Transport Canada will increase its field monitoring on these locomotives for this very purpose, to ensure that the people who are driving the trains are qualified to do so and that they are doing so safely.
We are on it. Transport Canada officials and inspectors are aware of what is going on. They are in contact with these rail companies on a daily basis to ensure that our trains travel safely in this country.
Rail Transportation February 2nd, 2015
Mr. Speaker, Transport Canada's role is to ensure that there is a minimum qualification standard for locomotive engineers. We expect that CP and CN will train to those standards to ensure the safety of the operation of these trains. It is up to CP and CN to ensure that they are training to the acceptable standards needed for driving these heavy pieces of machinery. I expect that they will do so. However, if they do not, we will indeed inspect and ensure that they do this in an appropriate manner.
Farmland February 2nd, 2015
Mr. Speaker, we are very pleased with the progress we have been making with respect to this file. We take it very seriously. Of course we are working with all stakeholders. In fact, it was last year that we were able to get all the stakeholders together in a room, including the members of Parliament who represent the affected areas, to ensure that we are listening to stakeholders in terms of what they would like to see happen.
Of course, Transport Canada's role is to make sure everything is done in a safe and responsible manner, and we will continue to do so.