Thank you, Madam Chair. I also want to thank all the members of the committee.
Thank you for inviting me here today to provide an overview of a key measure contained in Bill C‑30, an act to implement certain provisions of the spring economic update tabled in Parliament on April 28, 2026, specifically, the airport information provision.
As you know, Canada's airports are central to our economy, connectivity and the daily lives of Canadians. They are managed by a range of organizations, including not-for-profit corporations and other levels of government. However, to develop effective policies and support the growth of our economy, we need to improve our access to information held by airport owners, operators and related organizations. Access remains limited at present for the federal government, including myself, as Minister of Transport. Bill C‑30 proposes a measure that will close this gap.
The Minister of Transport would be able to require airport owners, operators and others whose activities could affect airport value to provide information when needed. The sharing of relevant airport information will help improve our understanding of the sector and support evidence-based decision-making. This information could help us identify potential adjustments to the existing model that could attract more private investment. This initiative is crucial to advancing goals that matter to Canadians such as affordability, enhanced economic development and an improved passenger experience.
I want to emphasize that collaboration remains the cornerstone of our approach. We will continue to work closely with airport authorities to gather information on a voluntary basis and maintain an open dialogue with the sector.
This measure will also position the Government of Canada to advance policy development in other areas, such as improving air travel affordability, expanding regional connectivity and responding effectively to operational challenges.
Ultimately, the measure would further enable Transport Canada to carry out its mandate to build a more secure and reliable aviation transportation system. We will use the ability to request information only when needed so that we can keep Canada's transportation system strong and able to meet the needs of Canadians.
In closing, Madam Chair, this measure reflects our commitment to evidence-based decision making. It will help make sure that Canada's airports remain strong economic levers. The information we gather will help us better understand how different airport ownership models impact the air sector.
They will help guide our decisions and priorities to support economic growth, encourage investment and create more opportunities for both the industry and Canadians.
Thank you very much.