Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
In the wake of what Mr. Jean just suggested, as parliamentary secretary, perhaps he could send a request to departmental officials. We could schedule a one-hour meeting or a briefing by Transport Canada officials to get their interpretation of the Air Canada Public Participation Act.
Air Canada clearly has an opinion that, in any case, in our view, is not consistent with the act. That's why I would like officials to come and tell us what they think about it. Then, if the officials prove us right, we'll ask the minister to make submissions to Air Canada.
This isn't a minor matter. We're talking about more than 4,500 jobs in the three provinces concerned, well paid direct employment. None of those people works for minimum wage. With the indirect jobs that generates, subcontractors and other workers, we're talking about 23,000 jobs in Canada.
That could be transferred to El Salvador and there are also equivalents in Costa Rica. Don't think I'm being racist toward Salvadoreans, but I believe the jobs we have in Quebec and Canada should stay here.