Olivia Chow

[Petitions, January 30th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, I have a petition from constituents of mine asking the Canadian government to enact a Canada public transit strategy. They note that Canadians are looking for fast, reliable and affordable public transit. At this point, there is no permanent investment planned to support public transit. They are asking for a federal funding mechanism for public transit. They want the federal government to take a leadership role to work with all levels of government to provide sustainable, predictable, long-term and adequate funding. They also want to make sure that there are accountability measures in place so that the funding that is provided for public transit would be done in a transparent way. They note that Canada is the only OECD country that does not have a national public transit strategy.

It is estimated that over the next five years there will be an $18 billion gap in transit infrastructure needs.

[Air Transportation, December 8th, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, just released secret documents reveal the Minister of Transport and his department are planning to sell off airports and other assets across this country. This fire sale would mean higher fees and airport closures.

Rural Canadians rely on these airports to deliver their mail, visit their families, or see their doctors. Loss of airports would isolate these communities.

Could the Conservatives tell us which Canadian communities will lose their airports just for a quick buck?

[Violence Against Women, December 6th, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, today on December 6 we remember the tragic massacre of 14 young women in Montreal 22 years ago. One lone gunman with a lethal weapon could not contain his anger against women. Canadians mourned and vowed to work for change.

Jack Layton and others spoke out against men's violence against women and co-founded the white ribbon campaign, now supported by millions in 55 countries. They and the families of the 14 young women fought for gun control. Marc Lepine's weapon is listed on the long gun registry, which the Conservatives now tragically aim to destroy.

The government should strengthen gun control rather than eliminate it, so that we can all stand in this House on December 6 and say, “Never again”.

Today, December 6, let us all stand together and say: never again.

[Aviation Safety, December 5th, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, studies show that the terrain warning system prevents close to 100% of accidents. The U.S. and EU required all planes to have this warning system years ago. Since 1997, 35 planes were flown into the ground, leading to the death of 100 people and 46 serious injuries. Many of these lives could have been saved.

These warning system regulations were on the minister's desk since August. What will happen in the next five years before these regulations are enforced?

[Aviation Safety, December 5th, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, 16 years ago the Transportation Safety Board of Canada recommended that all planes, large and small, install the terrain warning system. This system provides the pilots of planes that are about to crash with early warning so that they have time to react.

In 13 years, the Liberals did nothing. For six years, three Conservative ministers did nothing. Why does the minister take so long to act on this warning system when lives are at stake?

[Safe Streets and Communities Act, November 30th, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. Today at 4:00, the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities was to come and defend his estimates before the transport committee. Because of this closure motion, the chair of the transport committee, without any consultation with other members of Parliament, cancelled the meeting.

As you know, Mr. Speaker, the estimates have to come back to the House of Commons some time next week for a final decision. As a result, the transport committee may not have a chance to have the minister come and defend his estimates. I ask that you assist us to find some way, perhaps by working with the chair of the standing committee, to ensure that the estimates appear before the transport committee and that we do have a chance to ask theMinister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities some questions.

[Infrastructure, November 30th, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, two out of three infrastructure applications from first nations communities have been rejected since 2006. That is close to 1,000 applications from aboriginal communities for roads, sewage treatment and clean water. The first nations were just told no. The result is desperate situations. These important applications should not be dismissed. They should be reviewed and approved.

Why does the infrastructure minister continue to tolerate third world conditions in first nations communities?

[Infrastructure, November 30th, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, the so-called build Canada infrastructure fund will run out in 2014, but the government cannot be trusted to give municipalities what they need: accountable, comprehensive and transparent funding. It does not even know how many jobs were created from the economic action plan.

To ensure transparency and accountability this time, will the minister commit to tabling progress reports on each phase of his consultations?

[Aviation Safety, November 29th, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, families of the victims who died in a Cougar helicopter crash off Newfoundland want to know why the faulty Cougar gearbox was certified.

The minister will not answer. The sole survivor of the crash wants to make sure all helicopters in the air now can run dry for 30 minutes. The Transportation Safety Board agrees with that recommendation.

Why does the minister continue to allow these faulty, unsafe helicopters in the air? Why is the minister ignoring the safety of Canadians?

[Motor Vehicle Safety, November 28th, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, The families of cyclists and pedestrians killed in truck collisions joined me this morning to call on the minister to mandate side guards.

Karen Hartmann talked about her pain in losing her husband when he was crushed, and her daughter described life without her father. Four different studies from the EU, Germany and the UK showed side guards reduce fatalities by up to 50%.

How many more preventable deaths will it take for the government to act?