Transport committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair. I have just two quick responses to Mr. Volpe's question. First of all, on the issue of scheduling, I wanted to report to the committee that Mr. Kosinski's comments have been confirmed to me by people who I spoke to. On the issue of scheduling when people ar

Transport committee  I know that there's been an order, and that's a good thing.

Transport committee  As I said before, that's what those who.... I don't pretend to be a railway expert, but as part of my job, I have been approached by many folks who said right away that this was a problem.

Transport committee  Well, the orders were made, that's for sure.

Transport committee  That the orders were made? Yes, absolutely.

Transport committee  Frankly, I'm not able to tell you what the largest problems are. I can tell you that these that are itemized are problems that have been identified to us by more than just one person. We've heard from a number of people who work on the railway, and these are the ones we've heard

Transport committee  Yes.

Transport committee  I think that's a very good idea. Let me mention, Chair, that I think one of the best things that have happened is this committee, and I said that right away. In response to some comments that have been made previously about my role here, let me say that I wrote, as the chair and

Transport committee  I'm saying that a review is a great idea—

Transport committee  —and that the proof of the pudding will be in the eating.

Transport committee  We've heard from a number of railway employees that the extension of hours is an issue and that people are away from home. We've also heard about the issue Mr. Cotie mentioned, on the condition of facilities for people to sleep in when away from home, and all of those issues. The

Transport committee  On the question of the release of the audit, what we were told, for what it's worth, is that, yes, the audits were to come at the end of, I think, 2005. Then there was a federal election campaign. What I'm reporting to you is what our researchers heard from Transport Canada or

Transport committee  What I said is that it had been reported to me, as it has been, by many people who work on the railway that it was their view that this was a problem.

Transport committee  I think that's correct, and that is what has been reported to me by people who do this work in our province.

Transport committee  Yes.