Rail Transportation  Mr. Speaker, let me say very clearly, when it comes to investments in VIA Rail, it is the Conservative members in New Brunswick who consistently stand up to ensure that VIA is supported, and not the NDP. The member knows, with respect to this specific line, that this was a business decision made by a private company.

Canada Post  Mr. Speaker, in 2012, Canada Post delivered one billion fewer letters than it did in 2006, but only the NDP thinks, as the member for Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca said, “We definitely do not have a crisis at Canada Post”. It is the only party that believes there is no crisis. Canada Post must balance its finances without being a burden on Canadian taxpayers, and that is exactly what this government expects it to do.

Rail Transportation  Mr. Speaker, I am not sure that the member opposite understands how the system works. First, rail companies must primarily be responsible for their safety. We have regulations in place, and if regulations are not followed, the companies will face the full extent of the law. The Railway Safety Act amendments that were brought in require regulation for implementation.

Rail Transportation  Mr. Speaker, our government's top priority remains the health and safety of Canadians. That is why we have increased funding for rail safety. In budget 2009, our government affirmed our commitment to a safe, reliable transportation system by earmarking $72 million, over five years, for rail safety measures.

Rail Transportation  Mr. Speaker, the member will know that the DOT-111 tanker cars built under the older standard will be phased out. Given the integration of the Canadian and U.S. rail networks, with cars crossing the border every day, she should know that the minister has been working with her American counterpart on additional standards to strengthen the safety of tanker cars within Canada.

Air Transportation  Mr. Speaker, the member will know that the Ontario government is responsible for approving land use plans for wind turbines. The federal government does not approve wind turbines. The role of the federal government and Nav Canada is to ensure that wind turbines do not cause concerns with regard to aviation safety.

Canada Post  Mr. Speaker, the member will know that Canada Post is encountering dramatic deficits, and those are projected to be up to a billion dollars in just a few years. It has a five-point plan it has taken as an independent crown corporation that is arm's-length from the government on its operational decisions.

Canada Post  Mr. Speaker, in 2012 Canada Post delivered one billion fewer letters than it did in 2006, yet it is that member's colleague, the member for Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca, who said, “We definitely do not have a crisis at Canada Post”. I think only the NDP would believe that posting up to a billion dollar deficit in very short order and declining mail volumes and revenues that are irreversible is not a crisis.

Transportation  Mr. Speaker, I have to correct the member. The government is doing no such thing. Marine Atlantic is a crown corporation. It is arm's length from the government. It has its own governance structure that makes these decisions on a day-to-day basis. If the member has a concern about that, he should raise it with Marine Atlantic.

Canada Post  Mr. Speaker, I would simply point out that Canada Post Corporation is an independent crown corporation. It operates at arm's length from the government and is responsible for its day-to-day operational decisions, including these. If she has a service complaint, she may want to direct it to Canada Post.

Rail Transportation  Mr. Speaker, far from it. This government continues to take a whole list of important actions. We continue, as I said, to increase the number of inspections of rail to record levels. There were 30,000 inspection in 2012. There was a $100 million investment in our rail safety system.

Rail Transportation  Mr. Speaker, as the member will know, with a lawsuit pending and the investigation currently ongoing, it is inappropriate to comment any further on that. However, we have a number of compliance mechanisms at Transport Canada that have been used. Thanks to this government's Railway Safety Act improvements just a few years ago, we will have the power to rapidly issue more monetary penalties.

Rail Transportation  Mr. Speaker, the member will know that the health and safety of Canadians is this government's top priority. We have taken a number of very significant actions to enhance rail safety. In 2012, we completed more than 30,000 inspections. We continue to hire more inspectors. We have made an investment of about $100 million in improving rail safety through new information sharing agreements with the provinces, proper classification regulations, and the list goes on.

Rail Transportation  Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the intervention by the New Democrat member. Let me start by saying that our government has a strong record of investing in VIA Rail. We have made investments of $1 billion since 2007. I shared some of this with the member for Acadie—Bathurst. Since 2007, we have made strong capital investments for the refurbishment of some of the stock at VIA Rail.

Rail Transportation  Mr. Speaker, I reject the hyperbole of the member, if he is suggesting that somehow there is no rail service from Halifax to other parts of the country, for example. I know his hon. colleague from Acadie—Bathurst tried to make the same assertion, that somehow we would not have rail from coast to coast.