Public Accounts committee  We negotiated a $235-million settlement with SSL to cover the consequences of the strike, transportation permit issues, and claims. That was the total package.

Public Accounts committee  The $235 million was not factored into the original budget.

Public Accounts committee  Thank you. I'll turn to Natalie and Marc to provide us with further details on the action plan by JCCBI. Over recent years, JCCBI has put a lot of emphasis on life-cycle management, as I explained before, using sensor technology to understand the behaviour and the conditions of the Champlain and its movement and understanding what it can do for both the Mercier and the Jacques-Cartier.

Public Accounts committee  Right now we are in the process, as the Auditor General has said, of discussing the possible impact. It would go back to service standards, and I'll ask Natalie and Marc to talk about it a bit more. Because we have service standards for the operation and maintenance of the bridge over the duration of the contract with them, that's what would vary, depending on what happened with the deterioration of the bridge.

Public Accounts committee  Thank you for your question. The $235-million settlement that was negotiated with SSL is the only claim that would increase the cost. Currently, there are no others, and we aren't aware of anything else that could increase the cost of building the bridge. As part of the negotiated $235-million settlement, SSL assumed responsibility for potential delays in the bridge's opening.

Public Accounts committee  For every day the project is late during the first week, the group will be fined $100,000. After seven days, the fine goes up to $400,000 per day, up to a maximum of $150 million.

Public Accounts committee  Thank you for the question. We monitor the progress made by SSL very closely. We have regular update reports and meetings. An independent engineer works for us and tells us what we need to know in order to ask the right questions about the progress made. In terms of governance and progress oversight, we are proactive.

Public Accounts committee  Under the contract, SSL is responsible for making sure the bridge is operational by December 21. There is no question about that.

Public Accounts committee  We have a team of experts who receive construction updates, and if they see a need for further clarification, a process is in place to allow for that discussion.

Public Accounts committee  Thank you for the question. Under the contract, once the bridge opens, SSL will be in charge of its maintenance and operation until October 2049, so 30 years. That whole time, it will have to ensure service standards are met. Seven years before the bridge is transferred back to the government, an engineer will conduct an independent inspection to make sure it is in proper condition and in compliance with established standards.

Public Accounts committee  Thank you for the question. I think where we're at now—and it's something that the Auditor General recommended in his report—is the importance of life-cycle asset management. Over the last number of years, JCCBI has certainly improved and is working diligently on life-cycle management.

Public Accounts committee  According to the reports and the documentation we have obtained, since 2007 and 2008, the JCCBI has conducted studies to assess the state of bridges and plan the bridge's replacement.

Public Accounts committee  It thought it had more time to replace the bridge and have it in place by 2020-2021.

Public Accounts committee  Good afternoon. Thank you for inviting me here today to speak to you about the Auditor General's report on replacing Montreal's Champlain Bridge. I am joined by Marc Fortin, assistant deputy minister, program operations, and Natalie Bossé, director general, major bridges projects.

Transport committee  On the subject of VIA Rail, the funding will have to be allocated to the Department of Transport. As the minister said, this will be discussed with Mr. Garneau.