Transport committee  There would probably be as many complaints as customers who have been affected by a situation that would require a complaint. However, if people were aware of their rights and there was a process in place, they would no longer have to file a complaint because recourse would be available to them.

Transport committee  This is a good starting point that encourages some very good ideas. There is still a need to clearly define when the compensation applies, when it does not, and the type. The committee must study this matter and submit clear rules so that the regulations that result are clear as well.

Transport committee  Speaking on behalf of Flight Claim Canada Inc., I can say that the answer is no. We make sure that the regulations in place are enforced. That is why I said earlier that it would give us additional tools. We rely on the rules that are in place. The European regulations, in particular, define what is acceptable and what is not acceptable for airlines.

Transport committee  I'm not sure I'm getting the question.

Transport committee  What matters is the way passengers will be informed afterwards. We may have the finest legislation and regulations in place, but if people do not know their rights and the recourse available to them, those laws and regulations are not very useful. We realize that, although European regulations have been around since 2004 or 2005, few people in Canada have been aware of them in recent years.

Transport committee  It actually gives us additional tools with which to help passengers. Today, although European rules are clear, we are mostly helping European passengers.

Transport committee  When I said questionable business practices, it was against the background of the current state of affairs and the perception of airlines that passengers have. I am not proposing specific compensation for that. But I was referring to the fact that a class action has been filed about the “Mexican game”, where airlines were selling tickets for so-called direct flights that turned out not to be.

Transport committee  Given the reality of globalization, it would be helpful to have the same rights as passengers coming to Canada. At the moment, the legislation operates on two levels. For example, on a flight from Canada to Europe with a European company, European rules provide for possible compensation in the event of a problem.

Transport committee  It is actually possible, but it depends on the tickets. Today, you often see discount sites advertising tickets at $99 for certain destinations and for a limited number of seats. So it is possible, but, with delays impacting a very small number of flights, they don’t want to compensate all the passengers affected by delays, or 14% of flights in Canada.

Transport committee  We have to take the number into consideration. When we look at the number it represents less than 1%, so it's 0.061% of the total flight. We also have to take into consideration that when there's a regulation in place, the number of flight delays and number of flights cancelled will be less because, obviously, the industry will adapt.

Transport committee  It will depend on the number of kilometres and the number of hours of the delay, so it will go from 250 Euros to 600 Euros.

Transport committee  Thank you, Madam Chair. My name is Jacob Charbonneau. I am the co-founder and the President and Chief Executive Officer of Flight Claim Canada Inc. I am accompanied today by my colleague Meriem Amir. Flight Claim Canada Inc. is a multidisciplinary firm, duly registered with the Quebec Bar and made up of a number of professionals governed by Quebec's Professional Code.