Madam Speaker, I want to quickly address a couple of concerns brought forward by the hon. member.
The Bloc worries that a facility at a smaller airport could be closed down because it is not profitable. This concern is probably based on a fundamental misunderstanding of the nature of Nav Canada.
Nav Canada is a not for profit entity. Its focus will be on whether particular services are necessary for safety and wanted by the users, not on the profitability of such services. Financial consideration become relevant only in so far as the needs of the users are affected and their willingness to pay for these services.
However, if a particular service is required in the interests of safety, and I heard the hon. member address this point too, it will be provided. It will be required regardless of the financial considerations.
What about air navigation services at local airports? There are a number of air navigation services at existing airports that are not required under the criteria laid out by Transport Canada. It is reasonable to assume Nav Canada would try to rationalize some of those services, although it does not mean safety or even levels of service will suffer.
With constantly improving technology it is possible to provide the same or even better levels of service from centralized facilities. In all such cases the corporation will be required to consult widely before acting. It has to provide due notice and it has to establish with Transport Canada regulators that the proposed change in service does not affect safety. These are all the provisions built into Bill C-20.
Unfortunately I did not see the hon. member at committee. I understand we cannot attend all committees but we do have our concerns.
Nav Canada is a not for profit corporation, not a company going out to take over the air navigation services from the government trying to make big money. That is not the object of Nav Canada. I hope with these assurances the hon. member will see fit to support the bill.