Thank you, Mr. Brison. That's a very timely question, given the debate on climate change and global warming. We, of course, have just as much interest in that issue, especially from the perspective of making sure we have a sustainable environment under which we operate.
First, when considering policies with respect to the environment and whatever measures the government policy-makers take with respect to the environment, be they emissions trading or carbon taxes, you have to take a look at the fact that transportation is a derived demand. So as to your question about what would be the impact on our industry, it's not so much about what would be the impact on our industry but what would be the impact on the Canadian economy from the perspective of us being an input into the process of trade, of people travelling, of tourism, and the other sectors. So that is one aspect.
If you look at it from a sustainability point of view, we would argue and would humbly submit that we absolutely consider balance in approaching these questions--economic sustainability, environmental sustainability, and social sustainability--because we do play a role socially within Canada in terms of remote community service and northern community service. All of those things taken together have an impact.
The other point I'd like to make to your question is the fact that we're already under a very penalizing and rather punishing fiscal regime with respect to our industry that creates a drag on the rest of the economy.
We should also explore ways of using the government policy strategically to look at alternative fuels, for example, and research. It goes without saying that it's in our self-interest as well to have alternative fuels, because fuel represents 30% of our costs. If we could bring that down by looking at such other alternatives as jet biofuel or alternative fuel, we would welcome that. We're working with partners like Boeing, Airbus, General Electric, and Pratt & Whitney to make engines a lot more sustainable, environmentally friendly, and so on.
For the record, the Canadian air transport industry--we just did a study, which we're pleased to share with you today--is responsible for approximately 1.2% of total greenhouse gas emissions in Canada.
That's just to give you the parameters and some statement as to where we stand on that.