COVID-19 Pandemic Committee on June 4th, 2020

[Marc Garneau, Liberal, Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount, QC]

Mr. Chair, I disagree with the assessment provided by my colleague. We did this because we were confident that safety would be preserved. Those airports are still open during the night.

[Todd Doherty, Conservative, Cariboo—Prince George, BC]

This decision was made without any consultation with the provincial government, the communities, the airlines, the airports or the health authorities. Can the minister answer the question as to why that was done?

[Marc Garneau, Liberal, Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount, QC]

We evaluated it very carefully according to four sets of criteria before making our decision. We're confident we made the right decision.

[Todd Doherty, Conservative, Cariboo—Prince George, BC]

Without FSS, flight crews will be forced to make uninformed decisions that could jeopardize passenger safety. Does the minister believe this is acceptable?

[Marc Garneau, Liberal, Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount, QC]

Mr. Chair, we carefully assessed the risks before making our decision, and we are comfortable with it.

[Todd Doherty, Conservative, Cariboo—Prince George, BC]

The air transport industry has been decimated and is on life support. What is the minister doing to ensure that it doesn't flatline?

[Marc Garneau, Liberal, Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount, QC]

We have made certain programs available to the airline industry, and we're watching the situation very carefully.

[Todd Doherty, Conservative, Cariboo—Prince George, BC]

Will the minister commit to waiving airport ground rent for the next five years?

[Marc Garneau, Liberal, Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount, QC]

Mr. Chair, we waived ground rent for this year, and all options are on the table for the future, depending on how long things last.

[Todd Doherty, Conservative, Cariboo—Prince George, BC]

Will the minister commit to interest-free loans to help airports cover operation costs?

[Marc Garneau, Liberal, Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount, QC]

Mr. Chair, as I said, we are keeping all options open. We want to make sure the airline industry is able to restart after the pandemic.

[Todd Doherty, Conservative, Cariboo—Prince George, BC]

Will the minister suspend federal excise tax on jet fuel?

[Marc Garneau, Liberal, Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount, QC]

Mr. Chair, we are evaluating all possibilities to ensure that the airline industry gets through this pandemic.

[Todd Doherty, Conservative, Cariboo—Prince George, BC]

While shuttering some services, Nav Canada signals a rate increase of 29%, and airports across the country are increasing AIFs. Under this minister's watch, Canada has become the most expensive aviation jurisdiction in the world.

Is the minister concerned that Canadians are bearing the brunt of these monopoly fee increases?

[Marc Garneau, Liberal, Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount, QC]

Mr. Chair, we live in unprecedented times. There have been difficulties with Nav Canada, which has lost 80% of its revenue. It had no choice but to raise the fees it charges the airlines.

[The Chair, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

We'll go on to Mr. Lake now.

[Mike Lake, Conservative, Edmonton—Wetaskiwin, AB]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

My questions are for the Minister of Health.

I'll start by asking, what is the current public health advice on the safe distance for members of the public to be apart from one another?

[Mary Ng, Liberal, Minister of Small Business]

Mr. Chair, we are encouraging Canadians to practise physical distancing in an effort to keep all Canadians safe during this pandemic.

[Mike Lake, Conservative, Edmonton—Wetaskiwin, AB]

There wasn't a number mentioned there, and it wasn't the fault of the minister who answered the question.

In the House of Commons right now, approximately how many members are there, in the building?

[The Chair, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

Is the question being asked of a minister in particular?

[Mike Lake, Conservative, Edmonton—Wetaskiwin, AB]

I hope this isn't going against my time, as there seems to be some confusion. I'm asking the Minister of Health because I thought she would be here today.

[The Chair, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

The honourable minister will answer that.

[Pablo Rodriguez, Liberal, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Yes, Mr. Chair. Thank you for the question.

I would say it's about 40 or 50 MPs. Your whip should know that.

[Mike Lake, Conservative, Edmonton—Wetaskiwin, AB]

Unfortunately, right now I don't get to ask my whip questions. Maybe after the next election I will.

Is that number of members considered safe?

[Mary Ng, Liberal, Markham—Thornhill, ON]

Mr. Chair, we are in physical distancing here.

I do have an answer to his question. The recommended physical distance is six feet or two metres away from each other to stay safe.