Denis Lebel

[Aviation Safety, April 3rd, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, the member does not use the right numbers, but I am sure she will have more questions. For the moment, I will thank the Auditor General for his work and we accept his recommendations.

The Auditor General confirms that Canada has one of the safest aviation systems in the world. That is what he said today.

My department has already identified these shortcomings, and I can confirm that some of the recommendations are already in place.

[Air Transportation, April 2nd, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, the role of the federal transport minister is to ensure the development of a safe air transportation industry. We will not intervene in this matter because safety is not at issue. Furthermore, if the mayor was so opposed to the project, he would never have signed an agreement with the developer. We will continue to look at options for the future.

[Air Canada, March 29th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, we understand that the loss of these jobs is important for communities and workers. However, as I said before, the legal advice I received states that Air Canada is in compliance with the act. In committee today Air Canada stated its commitment to keeping these jobs in Canada. That is very important for us. We will continue to support all industries in Canada.

[Air Canada, March 29th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, apparently the member would like to run these companies himself instead of letting the executives do their jobs.

This is a matter between private companies, and we will respect that.

The legal advice I received states that Air Canada is in compliance with the act. In committee today Air Canada stated its commitment to keeping the jobs in Canada.

We will continue to support the Canadian economy.

[Air Canada, March 29th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, we work with facts, not speculation.

I know that the loss of these jobs is devastating for the workers and their communities. Aveos does not have much respect for its employees. We are very disappointed about that.

This morning, senior Air Canada executives appeared before the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities to testify, and from what I understand, Air Canada is complying with the act.

While they spend their time speculating, we are working with facts, and the facts show that Air Canada is complying with the act.

[Air Canada, March 29th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, the loss of these jobs is devastating for workers who continue to support security all across Transport Canada. That issue is very important.

I am disappointed with how Aveos has treated its employees during this challenging time. The legal advice I received states that Air Canada is in compliance with the act.

[Air Canada, March 28th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member must know that 2,300 maintenance workers are still working for Air Canada. The business relationship between Aveos and Air Canada is in the private domain; it is between the two companies. We have said it many times, and I will say it again: the law is the law and, under that law, we will ensure that Air Canada respects the Air Canada Public Participation Act, as it did initially, and ensure that its overhaul centres remain in Montreal, Mississauga and Winnipeg. Air Canada can choose which company will do that work or whether it will do the work itself.

[Air Canada, March 28th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, as we said yesterday, witnesses will appear before the Standing Committee on Transport tomorrow, as part of this process. The member will be able to ask all his questions then. This is a matter that concerns two private-sector companies, Aveos and Air Canada, that have a business relationship. Our government respects that relationship.

[Employment, March 28th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, like I said before, we recognize the loss of these jobs are devastating for families.

As I said yesterday, and will repeat now, this is ultimately a private sector issue between the two companies. We will not manage any companies of our country. We respect that, so we are not contemplating a bailout for Aveos or Air Canada. That is very important for us.

[Aerospace Industry, March 28th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, of course, we recognize just how much job losses affect workers and their families.

However, I would remind my hon. colleague that, since coming to power, our government has invested more than $600 million in the aerospace industry in the Montreal region alone. More often than not, the NDP voted against those investments.