Transport committee  If I'm reading this right in terms of the overall project, the key thing here is that there have to be some solid partnerships between federal and provincial governments—the Province of Quebec and the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador—and maybe the private sector to make this project become a reality.

Transport committee  Nobody does feasibility studies. Do they just do RFPs?

Transport committee  Thank you, Madam Chair. Welcome to our guests. I have some questions, primarily about the presentation by Mr. Dumaresque and Mr. Villeneuve. Danny, I know you've had tunnel vision for 30 years now.

Transport committee  When we talk about that new link, as I guess you want to call it, to Canada through the northern peninsula—and I have heard this before—that would complete what we call the circular route, from Quebec City through to Labrador and across the northern peninsula back to Quebec City via Marine Atlantic.

Transport committee  When you look at the overall scope of this project—the costs associated with building it, the cost recovery that you talked about and so on, and the value for the entire eastern region of Canada including Quebec, the Atlantic provinces, Newfoundland and Labrador—is it a very positive thing, from your perspective?

Transport committee  Mr. Greer and Mr. Davis, what kind of impact do you think the completion of Route 138 and a fixed link to the island of Newfoundland from Labrador would have on the economy of that entire region and Quebec?

Transport committee  —of what you think your region would look like if Route 138 were completed?

Transport committee  Mayor Jones, if I could interrupt, I thank you for that. Could you just give me a snapshot—

Transport committee  Thank you, Madam Chair. Welcome to all of our guests, particularly our Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. I want to focus my questions on Mayor Gros and Mayor Jones. I'll go first to Mayor Gros, or Gerry, I should probably say, after knowing you for so long. You talked about some of the challenges and why you think it's necessary for us to seriously consider the potential of a fixed link across the straits.

Transport committee  Thank you, Mayor Gros. The question now, Mr. Jones, is going to you. Mayor Gros referenced Route 138, of course, in order to make this potential fixed link viable or to have any economic impact. Have you, as mayor of your community, made representation to your Quebec provincial government to complete Route 138?

Transport committee  Wabush.

Transport committee  I appreciate trying to find a balance in all of that, but I think there's a general sentiment across the province from the business community, tourism operators and others that the current rates are an impediment to people coming to the province. We've seen marked improvement in tourism in the province, but people still believe that affordability is an issue, and they suggest we may need to take a closer look at the cost-recovery rates.

Transport committee  It's positive from your perspective?

Transport committee  Thank you very much. During our ongoing study on trade and transportation logistics, Minister, we've heard from witnesses such as the Atlantic Provinces Economic Council on the need to harmonize transportation regulations, and in budget 2019 the Government of Canada announced that through the road safety transfer payment program, it would support the provinces and territories in their efforts to harmonize road safety and transportation requirements.

Transport committee  Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you, Minister and officials, for being here today. Minister, I want to focus on the issues of transportation pertaining to Newfoundland and Labrador, of course, which is predominantly done by flights or ferry service. Marine Atlantic provides an important constitutionally mandated ferry service to the citizens of my province.