Mr. Chair, ladies and gentlemen, thank you for the invitation to appear before you today as part of the pre-budget consultations.
The Canadian Airports Council appreciates the committee's support in the recommendations last year and the opportunity to appear before you today. The CAC has 50 members, representing more than 100 airports across the country. They range in size from global hubs like Toronto Pearson and Montreal Trudeau to smaller, community airports in Fredericton and Kelowna. Canada's air transport sector employs more than 140,000 workers and generates about $35 billion in economic activity.
For nearly 25 years, local airport authorities have been running, operating and funding their airports while paying long-term rent to the government. Those authorities have invested more than $21 billion in airport improvements since 1992...