Transport Committee on March 21st, 2024

[Pablo Rodriguez, Liberal, Honoré-Mercier, QC]

We're working on that, definitely. We've very aware, as I said to Mr. Barsalou-Duval, that it's an absolute priority.

However, let me ask you a question. It's not spin and it's not political or this and that. If I changed the fleet tomorrow morning and I had 100% diesel locomotives, or I waited a few years to get hybrid locomotives, is it worth it or not? Honestly, I'm reflecting on that too, because if I were to buy today and renew everything, I would be getting the same type of polluting locomotives.

[Taylor Bachrach, NDP, Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC]

The message we're getting is that you should have started this process 20 years ago. If you're asking for more time now, the problem is that now we're in a crisis.

[Pablo Rodriguez, Liberal, Honoré-Mercier, QC]

I'm not saying that I'm asking for more time. I'm simply reflecting, and I'm inviting you to reflect with me.

[Taylor Bachrach, NDP, Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC]

I'm happy to answer your question.

Yes, we should buy train sets that are future-proofed, that are as efficient as possible and that contribute to our fight against climate change. Yes.

However, I will add that we've been told that the procurement and manufacturing process is going to take 10 years. Those trains that we're running right now will no longer be serviceable in 2035. That means that the process has to start this year, because they have to design custom train cars. They have to run a competitive procurement process—I know that can be challenging for your government—and then they have to manufacture the trains. It's going to take 10 years. We have to start now.

[Pablo Rodriguez, Liberal, Honoré-Mercier, QC]

We're working with Via already.

Maybe you can add something on this one, Arun.

[Arun Thangaraj, Deputy Minister, Department of Transport]

Sure.

As you know, Via has purchased fleet for the corridor between Toronto and Montreal. We've worked with Via on the safety of the rolling stock that operates along the Canadian and other routes, looking at their maintenance. We've had active discussions on what the new rolling stock would look like, both for locomotives and for passenger cars, as the minister has said, looking at the propulsion system.

What we've also looked at, with Via but also with manufacturers, is what a procurement process would look like that isn't totally linear and doesn't necessarily take 10 years but is competitive and reflects good value for money. We're having those discussions with Via, as well as with the manufacturers currently.

[Taylor Bachrach, NDP, Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Peter Schiefke]

Thank you very much.

The next speaker is Mrs. Vien.

Mrs. Vien, the floor is yours for five minutes.

[Dominique Vien, Conservative, Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis, QC]

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.

Thank you for being with us, Mr. Rodriguez.

In response to what you said, it was your colleague, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, who said there would be no more investment in the road sector, not the members sitting around this table.

Mr. Rodriguez, as I was a member of the Quebec cabinet a few years ago, I know that interfering in a colleague's files generally isn't appreciated. Consequently, when a colleague appears and wants to discuss a matter that concerns a cabinet colleague, he or she should at least make that person aware of the fact and seek his or her approval.

Mr. Guilbeault said that the federal government had decided to stop investing in new road infrastructure and did so on behalf of the Government of Canada, to which you belong.

Did he inform you that he would be making that statement, yes or no?

[Pablo Rodriguez, Liberal, Honoré-Mercier, QC]

Mrs. Vien, you have a great deal of experience. I've followed your career in Quebec City.

Mr. Guilbeault clarified his remarks—

[Dominique Vien, Conservative, Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis, QC]

That's not what I'm asking you, Mr. Rodriguez.

Did he consult you?

[Pablo Rodriguez, Liberal, Honoré-Mercier, QC]

He can't consult me about something that he clarifies. You're asking if he consulted me about something that he didn't say.

[Dominique Vien, Conservative, Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis, QC]

Mr. Rodriguez, your colleague Mr. Guilbeault, made an important statement to an audience via videoconference. He said he was going to stop investing in the road network, a slap in the face to a very important project in the Quebec City region.

The question is this, and it's a clear one: Were you consulted, yes or no, on the subject of the statement that he was going to make before the public transit advocacy group?

[Pablo Rodriguez, Liberal, Honoré-Mercier, QC]

We've discussed the third link many times. As a parliamentarian and colleague, you know that. If he says he's referring to the third link, then, yes, we've had discussions on the subject.

[Dominique Vien, Conservative, Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis, QC]

Were you consulted, yes or no, on the road network investment issue and the fact that he was going to stop creating new road projects?

[Pablo Rodriguez, Liberal, Honoré-Mercier, QC]

Mr. Guilbeault isn't responsible for road systems. Mr. Fraser and I are responsible for that—

[Dominique Vien, Conservative, Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis, QC]

This is serious, Mr. Rodriguez. He made a statement to the effect that he, as the government, was going to stop investing in the road network. That has a major impact across Canada, particularly in our rural regions.

So I understand why you weren't aware of that.

[Pablo Rodriguez, Liberal, Honoré-Mercier, QC]

I'm telling you that he clarified his remarks. He was talking about the third link—

[Dominique Vien, Conservative, Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis, QC]

Do you support what he said?

[Pablo Rodriguez, Liberal, Honoré-Mercier, QC]

Please let me answer.

[Dominique Vien, Conservative, Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis, QC]

But you aren't answering my question, Mr. Rodriguez.

[Pablo Rodriguez, Liberal, Honoré-Mercier, QC]

That's your opinion. I think I answered it.

Let's disregard the assumptions and look at the facts. Are we or aren't we investing in roads? Absolutely. I have a long list here, Mrs. Vien.

[Dominique Vien, Conservative, Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis, QC]

That's great.

You mentioned the Gatineau region earlier and you said you wanted to spend $70 million.

Are you confirming that new bridges will be built using that money?

[Pablo Rodriguez, Liberal, Honoré-Mercier, QC]

New what?

[Dominique Vien, Conservative, Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis, QC]

I'm talking about new bridges.