Evidence of meeting #48 for Transport, Infrastructure and Communities in the 39th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was sms.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Don Bell Liberal North Vancouver, BC
You mentioned it in your letter, so it would help if we could have it in writing.
Bloc
Mario Laframboise Bloc Argenteuil—Papineau—Mirabel, QC
Thank you very much.
I will stay on this topic, Mrs. Brazier, since the government will tend to create its famous designated organizations. However, in the Bill, a designated organization is one that is authorized to certify people operating in the air industry and, in conformity with the standards, it would have the power to modify, change, renew, suspend or cancel a certificate. So, the government would want to impose those organizations to the industry.
Could you tell me if there are in your industry any organizations that would be able to act as designated organizations? If not, do you believe that Transport Canada should instead increase its oversight and create the kind of ombudsman that you are requesting since, at the end of the day, what you want is to have someone independent who would be able to make decisions? Let us increase the supervision and the number of inspectors, let create an ombudsman but let us not create any designated organizations. This is what I would tend to recommend because, otherwise, you would have someone imposed to your industry. So, do you believe that in your industry there would be someone competent enough to act as a designated organization?
President, Operations Manager and Chief Pilot, Dax Air Inc.
No, there is no such.... Our industry is very diverse. Unfortunately, we have all these problems and there is no cohesion in our sector to have such an organization. That is why we need the government to do its job.
We support the idea of an ombudsman or some kind of system such as you mentioned to resolve problems with our current situation. We don't need another organization to not do its job; we want this organization to do its job. We want a place we can go to, to resolve disputes.
Thank you.
NDP
Peter Julian NDP Burnaby—New Westminster, BC
Thanks to each of you for your courage.
Just to set the record straight on Justice Moshansky, he said, “Regulatory oversight is not being merely reduced. ...it is being systematically dismantled under Bill C-6.” Any pretension to the contrary is disingenuous, at best.
I have two questions, to finalize your appearance today.
Ms. Brazier, you talked about breaking the laws and sacrificing safety as being a choice. Is that not because this legislation essentially rewards bad behaviour? It gives a competitive advantage to those who might be the most reckless in the airline industry.
And Mr. Rubin, you mentioned the closure of safety files. We heard from bureaucrats last week that 100 serious safety violation files were closed. Then we were told that they weren't closed, that they were transferred somewhere. No proof has been provided to this committee that they were transferred to anybody. Is your concern that these kinds of files being closed means there are safety gaps out there that we may not be aware of?
Public Interest Researcher, As an Individual
Yes. I noticed that on April 23, when the minister's officials were here, the officials said there are about 100 files. Near the end, he offered in part to provide the committee with the files. I suggest strongly that you take him up on that, because for the public these files are secret.
In the documentation I have, on October 17, 2006, it says:
Since the implementation and enforcement of the SMS policy eighteen months ago, Aviation Enforcement has completed more than 200 investigations to-date using SMS. In addition, there are many investigations currently being conducted using the SMS procedure.
They're all secret. If the committee could get those, you would help us greatly. The committee in camera is not the public in disclosure. I feel that it would be important.
Why do we have the Air India inquiry going on? Because people want to know what happened in a plane situation. The travelling public wants to know what's happening with planes right now. So let's not wait 20 years; let's not wait until there's an accident. Let's get back on the rail.
Conservative
Ed Fast Conservative Abbotsford, BC
Thank you.
Ms. Brazier, I have a very quick question. You've been here and you've told us some of your concerns about Transport Canada. We talked a bit about SMS. It's too early to implement it in your particular industry. Have you reviewed Bill C-6?
Conservative
Ed Fast Conservative Abbotsford, BC
Does it apply to you? Does it apply to your industry? Does it apply to your particular company?
President, Operations Manager and Chief Pilot, Dax Air Inc.
Unfortunately, I'm not an expert on Bill C-6, so I can't tear it apart, if that's what you're asking.
President, Operations Manager and Chief Pilot, Dax Air Inc.
No, I think I would have to disagree with what you're stating, but I doubt there's enough time to address that issue.
Conservative
Ed Fast Conservative Abbotsford, BC
Okay. I'm advised that Bill C-6 wouldn't apply to your particular company as a one-operator company.
President, Operations Manager and Chief Pilot, Dax Air Inc.
We've been told that it does.
Senior Researcher, Air Canada Component, Canadian Union of Public Employees
This Transport Canada publication says aerial work, air taxi operations, and commuter operations, September 2008, planned in force.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Merv Tweed
Thank you, Mr. Fast.
As you can hear, the bells are ringing.
We appreciate you coming in and presenting us with your positions and points of view. We thank you.
Mr. Jean.
Conservative
Brian Jean Conservative Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB
Mr. Balnis referred to brown envelopes, and he didn't confirm to the committee whether or not he would provide those to us, or how many there were.
I would like to have an undertaking that he would provide us the contents, so we can read them.
Conservative