Olivia Chow

[Rail Transportation, March 4th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, the estimates show how the Conservatives are happy to keep cutting away at rail service until it is gone.

VIA Rail has been operating without a legislative framework since Brian Mulroney's legislation died in the Senate. We have now updated Brian Mulroney's bill for preserving and protecting VIA Rail.

Will the government support my bill that I tabled this morning?

[Petitions, March 4th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, the last group of petitions is also from my constituents in Toronto. The petitioners are asking the federal government to provide a permanent investment plan to support public transit, establish a federal funding mechanism for public transit, and ensure that there is a national public transit strategy so that we can deal with the $18 billion gap in transit infrastructure needs.

[Petitions, March 4th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, the third batch of petitions is from my constituents. They ask that the federal government make side guards mandatory on all trucks in order to save pedestrians' and cyclists' lives, and in order to save fuel.

[Petitions, March 4th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, the second petition calls on the Government of Canada to provide seniors with affordable, reliable and fast public transit. The petitioners note that seniors with low incomes are isolated at home because some of them cannot afford bus tickets. Having more seniors on public transit means better health, better air quality, less gridlock, and better neighbourhoods.

[Petitions, March 4th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, I have a large number of petitions.

First it is my honour to present petitions from 14,000 petitioners across Canada calling on the Government of Canada to stop being soft on crime against animals. Canada must strengthen the language of animal cruelty law and remove animal cruelty crimes from the property section of the Criminal Code. We must recognize animals as beings that can feel pain. They are not property, and criminals who abuse animals must face conviction and serious penalty. Those who have done serious crime must do serious time. It is time for Canada to act and protect our furry friends.

[Via Rail Canada Act, March 4th, 2014]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-577, An Act respecting VIA Rail Canada and making consequential amendments to another Act.

Mr. Speaker, it is my honour to present the VIA Rail protection bill. The bill presents a vision for the future of VIA Rail. It lays out a clear mandate and government structure. It gives it a larger say in determining its funding needs and frees the railway board from patronage appointments. By strengthening VIA Rail's position vis-à-vis CN and CP, delays for passenger trains would also be reduced.

Currently VIA Rail has no clearly delineated rights, powers, obligations, or mandated targets. Without legislative protection, it has suffered years of neglect and devastating service cuts. It is time to secure VIA Rail's role and responsibility through a federal law.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

[Petitions, March 3rd, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to present petitions from people in Toronto.

The petitioners say that Canadians deserve fast, reliable, and affordable public transit, and that since the 2014 federal budget does not include dedicated transit funding, it is estimated that there is a $32 billion investment gap in transit infrastructure needs across Canada.

The road congestion is costing the GTA economy $6 billion a year in lost productivity. The average daily commute time is over 80 minutes.

The petitioners are calling on the federal government to provide long-term, predictable, and non-partisan funding for public transit now.

[Rail Transportation, March 3rd, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, Canada came together as a nation when our railway was completed from coast to coast, but through neglect and millions in budget cuts, the government is stripping VIA Rail of its ability to deliver services to Canadians. People in Gaspé and New Brunswick are losing vital rail services.

How can the government justify tabling estimates with another $4 million cut to VIA Rail?

[Ukraine, February 26th, 2014]

Mr. Chair, while we mourn the 100 heroes who lost their lives fighting for independence, freedom, and democracy, their spirit will continue to guide us here and in the future and inspire us to assist the people of Ukraine to seek real economic independence, true freedom, and human rights.

While Canada has taken a first step in sending a delegation to Ukraine, we must also assist in the country's economic development, assist in its democratic reform, and help its people root out corruption.

Could my colleague elaborate in some detail on how Canada can contribute to Ukraine's economic and democratic development?

[Petitions, February 26th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, the last petition asks the federal government to lift seniors out of poverty by enhancing the pension system, increasing the guaranteed income supplement, and keeping the eligibility for old age security at 65 years and not 67 years.