Thanks, Mr. Chair. Thanks to the witnesses for coming today.
I've heard many concerns about safety in the aviation industry. I recognize that Canada has always had a great reputation for safety, and I'm sure everyone on this committee wants to maintain it. I'm sure the department does as well. But what we're hearing is that there are some concerns. There are some real concerns with the implementation of the safety management systems around the 705 carriers: concern about the inspectors not inspecting aircraft; that the random inspections and audits occur with prior notification to airlines; there is very little whistle-blower protection for people who may notice issues within the industry and report them; and certainly concerning the business jets there was some very deep concern about the outsourcing of the responsibility to the trade associations. These are some of the things that led to this discussion
In your e-mail of November 13, in which you acknowledge the concerns about how SMS is being implemented and the delay for air taxis and commuter operations—the 704s—why haven't you recommended actions to review SMS with the larger carriers, the ones for whom the system has been in place and for whom you can actually, through review, analyze the results you're getting with the system you have now?