Hon. Francis Fox:

Honourable senators, today I had the opportunity to meet with the spokesperson for the Coalition pour le pont Champlain following yesterday's measures to limit access to the Mercier Bridge between Montreal and the south shore. It goes without saying, and all senators from the greater Montreal area know this, that Montreal is experiencing a major transportation and traffic crisis. This crisis has created major inconveniences for thousands of people in Montreal and could have potentially disastrous consequences on the city's economy, thus affecting the province and the country.

This situation requires swift, aggressive intervention from all three levels of government. Can the minister tell us when the Government of Canada will acknowledge the urgency of this situation and the need for a global solution instead of trying to stitch the bridge back together one piece at a time?

When will the Government of Canada acknowledge the need to begin planning immediately for a new bridge to replace the Champlain Bridge which, according to the most optimistic scenarios, is said to have only five to ten years left? When will the Government of Canada accept the invitation to partner with the Government of Quebec to plan these new bridges?

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