House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2021, with 54% of the vote.
Rail Transportation December 13th, 2018
Mr. Speaker, perhaps the Bloc Québécois does not understand our obligations under free trade agreements.
VIA Rail, a Crown corporation, put out a tender and three companies bid on it. The company selected made the best offer with the best availability, best price and best product. That is how things work. The criteria were very well detailed beforehand and a decision was made. That is how it works.
Rail Transportation December 13th, 2018
Mr. Speaker, I would just say that people who take the train in the Quebec-Windsor corridor will enjoy better accessibility, improved comfort, safer trains and cleaner operations. Maintenance of these new trains will be done by VIA Rail at its facilities in Toronto and Montreal.
I would add that we have also provided more than $150 million to have part of VIA Rail's current fleet renovated in La Pocatière, Montréal and the Gaspé region. That work will be done by 300 workers in Quebec.
International Trade December 13th, 2018
Mr. Speaker, the NDP clearly has no idea how a trade agreement works.
Speaking of Bombardier, we should talk about the $500-million AZUR contract awarded to La Pocatière.
Why does the NDP not point out that we have spent $154 million for VIA Rail in La Pocatière and that we have awarded contracts to CAD, in Montreal and Gaspé? These contracts were awarded in Quebec. The NDP has never mentioned those.
International Trade December 13th, 2018
Mr. Speaker, I have answered this question many times, so I will approach it differently.
People taking new trains within the Quebec City–Windsor corridor will benefit from improved comfort, enhanced accessibility, better safety and cleaner travel. On top of this, with today's deal, Siemens aims to provide Canadian content of more than 20% in supplies and services.
The NDP says one thing in the House, but behind closed doors it admits that our trade deals work for Canadians.
Rail Transportation December 11th, 2018
Mr. Speaker, as we all know, Bombardier is able to do business around the world. That is why it sells trains in Israel, India, Africa and other places, including the United States. That is how international trade works when free trade agreements are in place. We need to abide by those rules. I know that the Bloc Québécois has a hard time understanding that concept, but that is how things work for adults who represent the government.
Rail Transportation December 11th, 2018
Mr. Speaker, when we are investing hundreds of millions, or even billions, of taxpayer dollars, we want the best deal for Quebeckers and Canadians. I am talking about taxpayer money.
When companies submit bids, they are aware of the criteria and the process right from the beginning. The opposition is asking us to interfere politically, violate our laws and, ultimately, hurt Canadians, which is unacceptable.
Natural Resources December 11th, 2018
Mr. Speaker, our natural resource sector is an important source of good middle-class jobs for all Canadians. We remain committed to a renewed relationship with indigenous peoples based on recognition, respect, co-operation and partnership.
I am delighted to report that many chiefs and leaders of B.C. coastal first nations were in Ottawa last week to express support for Bill C-48 and to express concerns about efforts by “people claiming to represent a unified voice in the northwest whose intentions are to undermine the implementation of the moratorium.”
Rail Transportation December 10th, 2018
Mr. Speaker, VIA Rail is responsible for passenger traffic across this country. It must do so based on a number of factors. At the moment, as we know, VIA Rail does pass through Saskatchewan. The Canadian goes from the eastern part of Canada all the way to Vancouver, so VIA Rail, as far as I know, still goes through Saskatchewan.
Rail Transportation December 10th, 2018
Mr. Speaker, as I have said many times, VIA Rail is in the middle of a procurement process to replace its Quebec City-Windsor fleet. VIA Rail is a Crown corporation that makes its own decisions, and it has to take into account our free trade agreements—with Europe, in this case—as well as WTO rules. Everyone has to play by the rules of the free trade agreements we are part of.
Transportation December 10th, 2018
Mr. Speaker, I fully recognize the issue of vulnerable road users, whether they are cyclists or people on foot, and that is why I have been working with the provinces. We came out with a report last September, after extensive consultations across the country. I will be speaking to my fellow transport ministers in January on this very important matter.