Finance committee  Thank you for the question. In terms of the consultations we undertook with regard to the proposal that is before this committee today, we did consult quite broadly with the air sector, including both the airlines and the airports. We spoke to them in quite a level of detail about the different types of models we were considering in terms of a future governance state for the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority.

Finance committee  Thank you. With regard to the witnesses who appeared before the House transportation committee, we did follow those discussions quite closely. There were some concerns raised. First, I should start by making the point that I believe Canada's airports, as represented by different members and by the Canadian Airports Council, indicated a high level of support for the proposal by the government.

Transport committee  When we were preparing to consult with industry, we looked at the different models around the world, as I mentioned. We looked at, for example, the transportation security agency in the United States. They have a model whereby they have the regulatory instrument and the operations in the same organization.

Transport committee  Thank you for the question. Absolutely not. This is a point that we emphasize every time we provide a briefing on this proposal. Security will not change. The Minister of Transport will continue to have his or her responsibilities with regard to the aviation security regulations.

Transport committee  Again, I feel sorry for Mr. Wilson, because I'm going to keep referring to the Nav Canada model. If we take a look at what Nav Canada was able to achieve in terms of being more nimble, more flexible, they were able, over time, to actually reduce their service charges. They were able to bring new technology to bear in terms of the provision of those services—an essential service to the safety of Canada's air navigation services.

Transport committee  Respectfully, the issue of the sale price is going to be part of the negotiations. I can't speak to that specifically, but I can tell you that no decision will be made until we enter into negotiations with industry on that issue and the other issues that I mentioned. That will be part of the negotiations.

Transport committee  Thank you for the question.

Transport committee  Thank you. In terms of the model that created Nav Canada, we saw the ability of this new corporation to have stable funding, to have the ability to do long-term planning. They were able to be more flexible and nimble in terms of taking a look at new technologies. When we took a look at how we could apply all these elements similarly to a new corporation that could do airport security screening, we felt that was the recipe we wanted for the entity that would provide this important service to Canadians.

Transport committee  As I said in my opening remarks, I believe that given the time frame we took with the creation of Nav Canada, it should not be remarkable how much time it could or should take for the discussions with the industry, both the airports and the airlines.

Transport committee  There are so many facets to the question that you ask. I'm not sure where to start. Let me start first by elaborating a little bit on the comments I made.

Transport committee  As I stated in my opening remarks, this is enabling legislation. It does not create the designated screening authority. It is through the negotiations that most of the details the airlines are raising as concerns would be discussed. That includes the sale price. That includes the transfer of staff.

Transport committee  Madam Chair, we thank you for the opportunity to speak to committee members today about the security screening services commercialization act and to highlight some of the important considerations that went into its development. Although CATSA staff works tirelessly and with great professionalism, it is our opinion that the proposed change would create a new entity with an organizational structure that will allow it to be better positioned to carry out the security screening currently provided by CATSA in airports.

Finance committee  They are currently using the services of Nav Canada.

Finance committee  Thank you for the question. The current exercises we refer to, which the Department of National Defence is undertaking, are supported by Nav Canada. The Department of National Defence looked at whether it would be viable or feasible for them to create their own air navigation services support.

Finance committee  I mentioned the indemnity that the government entered into with Nav Canada in December of last year. The negotiation of that agreement took a number of years, and it was quite complex. It involved, for example, the government's making the funding decision to take on the liabilities associated with such an indemnity.