Mr. Chair, I'm not in support of this motion.
I think the motion is premature. We haven't had a debate over the amendments. In some respects this bill matches up to what is the practice in Europe. It gives airlines, under the extraordinary circumstances clause, all the leeway they require. What many of our amendments are doing is simply clarifying the extraordinary circumstances.
There are amendments that would provide some reduced rates; there are things that can make this bill more understandable. Nonetheless, the bill is about the relationship between the air carrier and the general public. The bill was designed not to put a burden on Transport Canada or on Nav Canada; it was to define the relationship between the air carrier and the passenger. That's what the bill's intent was, and that's still how the bill is laid out.
If there are extraordinary circumstances, the penalties don't apply. That's pretty straightforward. We are not with this bill putting a burden on Transport Canada, on Nav Canada, or on any of the other agencies that this government uses to oversee air traffic. That's not what's happening here. This bill is about the relationship between the carrier—the business—and the passenger. As such, it can stand by itself. There's no necessity to put blame or put costs on the other organizations. The penalties only exist between the air carrier and the passengers when a commercial operation does not meet the conditions of this bill. That's it.
If Nav Canada makes a ruling that changes the nature of the flight, passengers will not have the opportunity to seek reimbursement from Transport Canada or from Nav Canada; that was not the intent of this bill. If the person who put the bill forward had wanted to include all those agencies in it, that's what would have perhaps happened, but this is not the practice across the world in the aviation business.
So I think this motion is not doing the job. I would much prefer to see a motion that would provide us with some more time to consider this. I know the committee has made choices about the timing of the bill, after a clear vote of approval in principle by the House of Commons on second reading. To my mind, the committee has failed in its obligation to the House of Commons in dealing with this bill. These measures will be viewed in that light not only by me, but I'm certain by many other parties to this issue.
Thank you.