Hill takes over as Transportation Critic

August 1, 2000

Fort St, John, BC-Today Jay Hill, MP for Prince George-Peace River, welcomed his appointment by Canadian Alliance Leader Stockwell Day as Official Opposition Transportation Critic. The following is Mr. Hill’s statement pertaining to the Transportation Critic portfolio:

"I am certainly going to be busy! Every component of Canada’s transportation sector is in a state of disarray. Canada’s transportation policies and infrastructure need to address the needs of our emerging economy, yet the federal Liberal government has failed Canadians again and again when it comes to this critical sector.

As the MP for Prince George-Peace River, I am excited about taking on the Transportation portfolio. It is an opportunity for me to directly fight for the interests of my constituents. For many Canadians the summer is a time for travel, either by road, air or rail. Just last week I traveled to the north end of my riding along the federally funded Alaska Highway that is in serious need of further upgrading.

Canada’s air industry is in crisis; cancelled flights, idiotic rerouting, safety concerns, labour disputes and ticket prices have Canadians at their wit’s end. Just today the Transportation Minister appointed former NHL referee Bruce Hood as the Air Travel Complaints Commissioner. I would like to offer Mr. Hood both my congratulations and condolences, he may be used to handling Ti Domi and Bob Probert, but hundreds of justified daily complaints from frustrated travelers may prove to be more than he bargained for.

The community operated airports including Fort St. John and Fort Nelson, are being forced to retroactively provide on site emergency services. The federal government, for all intents and purposes are reneging on the deals that were struck when they down-loaded the airport authority to the local operators.

And finally the grain transportation system is disastrous. Every year hard working producers are held hostage to the whims of the Canadian Wheat Board and rail companies. In fact today is the first day of the 2000-2001 crop year and new regulations passed in Bill C-34 were supposed to be in place. Yet there are no new commercial contracts, no new tendering practices from the Canadian Wheat Board and no new ways of allocating hopper cars. On behalf of Canadians and in particular my constituents of Prince George-Peace River, I am looking forward to the challenges of this vital portfolio and to holding Minister Collenette and his Liberal government accountable for their inaction.