Mr. Speaker, absolutely not. I never intended to show any disrespect to anyone. I receive some rather harsh comments on the work we are doing, but I never intended to offend anyone.
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Points of Order March 27th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, absolutely not. I never intended to show any disrespect to anyone. I receive some rather harsh comments on the work we are doing, but I never intended to offend anyone.
Aerospace Industry March 27th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, as I was saying earlier, we know that these job losses are devastating for the regions involved. The Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities will be calling witnesses and asking questions.
We have to keep in mind that we are talking about two private companies. We are not considering any plan to bail out Aveos and Air Canada. In the past few years, our government has invested $666 million in the aerospace industry in the Montreal region.
Air Canada March 27th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, this is ultimately a private sector issue between these two companies, so we are not contemplating a bailout for Aveos and Air Canada. We will continue to support the workers.
Air Canada March 27th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, like I have said before, I understand this is devastating for the workers and their families.
The standing committee on transport will hear as soon as it can from Aveos, Air Canada and the union. All MPs present will have to ask them questions. It is a complex issue and we will continue to work on it.
Like I said yesterday and will repeat now, the law is the law. The Air Canada Public Participation Act requires that we maintain that centre. We will have to respect the law.
Air Canada March 27th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, as I said yesterday, this is a very complex subject, given our analysis of this legislation. It is easy to tell me to step up to the plate. I have done that all my life. This morning, that member there was at the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, and we were talking about how complex the situation is.
It is a situation that is being analyzed and that will be analyzed by the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. The committee members will be able to ask all the questions they like.
The member referred to the Montreal region. In recent years, our government has invested $666 million. That is stepping up to the plate and creating jobs.
Air Canada March 27th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, we recognize that the loss of these jobs is devastating to the workers and their communities. I have asked the transport committee to look into this issue and hear from the parties involved. This is ultimately a private sector issue between these two companies. We are not contemplating any bailout for Aveos or Air Canada.
Air Canada March 27th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, we recognize that the loss of these jobs is devastating for the workers and their communities. Yesterday, I asked the Standing Committee on Transport to hear the parties involved in this matter. The members will be able to ask them all the questions they want. However, we must remember that this is a business decision involving two private corporations. We are not considering a bailout for Aveos and Air Canada.
Questions on the Order Paper March 26th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, in response to (a), the position of chief information officer was located in Channel-Port aux Basques.
In response to (b), for Channel-Port aux Basques, the position of terminal manager is located at the marine terminal; for North Sydney, the position of terminal manager is located at the marine terminal; and for Argentia, the position of assistant terminal manager is located at the marine terminal during the period May to October to cover the operating season for the Argentia to North Sydney service.
In response to (c), the locations of all staff at Marine Atlantic are determined based on how best to meet the operational and customer service requirements of the corporation.
In response to (d), Marine Atlantic did not make a decision to move the position of chief information officer to St. John’s. The decision was made to provide candidates with the option of work location, either Port aux Basques, North Sydney, or St. John’s, as stated in the job advertisement to ensure that a large pool of qualified individuals would apply for the position.
In response to (e), we have no plans to move positions within our organization. However, we always have to ensure that the organization is flexible and responsive to changes in labour markets and customer requirements.
In response to (f), for senior leadership positions within the corporation, Marine Atlantic follows a standard recruitment strategy and engages an executive search firm that uses extensive search techniques to attract top talent.
In response to (g), the high level education and skills criteria for the position included the following: a degree from a recognized university in a relevant field of study, such as computer science or engineering, with an MBA considered an asset; a minimum of 10 years of senior IT or IM leadership experience; significant experience in financial management, human resource management, risk management and performance management; and a successful results oriented background that included leadership initiative, customer service, efficiency and motivational skills.
In response to (h), the job posting stated the following: “The position will be located in either Port aux Basques, St. John’s or North Sydney”.
In response to (i), there were 124 applicants for the position of chief information officer.
In response to (j), there was one applicant from Channel-Port aux Basques.
Air Canada March 26th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, as I said earlier, I know that this is a disastrous and difficult situation for workers and their families. Just before question period, I asked the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities to call on Air Canada, Aveos, the union and other experts wishing to weigh in as soon as possible. I repeat: our government believes that the law is the law. Under the Air Canada Public Participation Act, Air Canada is required to maintain operational centres in Montreal, Mississauga and Winnipeg. We are keeping tabs on the situation and will listen to everyone who wants to express an opinion.
Air Canada March 26th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, I understand that it is devastating for workers who have lost their jobs.
Today I have asked the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities to hear Aveos, Air Canada and the union as soon as possible and report its conclusions to me.
The law is the law. Air Canada will have to respect it.