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Ms. Jean Crowder (Nanaimo—Cowichan, NDP): Mr. Speaker, the second petition calls on the Government of Canada to initiate a commission of inquiry headed by a superior court judge to conduct a judicial review into Canada's state of national aviation safety and government oversight of the aviation industry, to be followed by further reviews at defined intervals. We recently read stories in the newspapers about pilot fatigue, so we are hopeful that the government will take these petitioners' concerns very seriously.

Ms. Jean Crowder (Nanaimo—Cowichan, NDP): Mr. Speaker, constituents in Nanaimo—Cowichan were dismayed when changes to the Navigable Waters Protection Act were passed.

The Conservative government is using the excuse of removing red tape to grant the transport minister unprecedented powers to decide which waterways are worth protecting and which are not.

It is unacceptable that one individual has the sole authority to approve the construction of a dam, boom, or causeway. This is undemocratic and may cause irreparable damage to our precious lakes and rivers.

Jean Crowder (Nanaimo-Cowichan, NDP): Mr. Speaker, constituents in Nanaimo-Cowichan were dismayed when the changes to the Navigable Waters Protection Act were passed.

The Conservative government is using the excuse of removing ‘red tape’ to grant the Transport Minister unprecedented powers to decide which waterways are worth protecting and which are not.
It is unacceptable that one individual has the sole authority to approve the construction of a dam, boom, or causeway. This is undemocratic and may cause irreparable damage to our precious lakes and rivers.

Feds slowing rail project, Crowder says
A local MP is frustrated with the federal transport minister for refusing to discuss the Island Rail Corridor until after his summer holidays.
Nanaimo-Cowichan MP Jean Crowder has been pushing to move forward on an initiative to improve a stretch of rail running from Nanaimo to Victoria.
Of course, she sighs, MPs can't do it alone and need the federal government to hop aboard with a suitcase full of cash.
It's expected to cost about $12 million over five years for infrastructure restoration.

Feds need to jump on board E&N
The train is preparing to leave the station and three MPs are working together to ensure it doesn't do so without the federal government aboard.
Nanaimo-Cowichan MP Jean Crowder, alongside her political colleagues, will call on the feds to help fund improvements to the Island's freight and commuter system.
The Island Corridor Foundation would like to see a regular service running from Victoria to Nanaimo. But there's an obstacle preventing them from realizing that goal: a price tag as high as $20 million.

Ms. Jean Crowder (Nanaimo—Cowichan, NDP): Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the member for Burnaby—New Westminster for his tireless work on behalf of the safety of Canadians who use our air services and certainly the workers in the industry as well.

The train is preparing to leave the station and three MPs are working together to ensure it doesn't depart without the federal government aboard.

Island commuter service good for the environment, NDP says; MPs want federal government to speed up improvements to Courtenay-Victoria rail line

Vancouver Island's NDP MPs want the federal government to fast-track improvements to the Victoria-Courtenay E&N rail line and establish a commuter service.