Evidence of meeting #44 for Transport, Infrastructure and Communities in the 40th Parliament, 3rd session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was aveos.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Assistant General Counsel, Law Branch, Air Canada
Currently there is absolutely no challenge by our shareholders in front of the tribunal. There is none at this stage. So you're asking when this decision will be, but there is no case pending.
Conservative
Assistant General Counsel, Law Branch, Air Canada
There is none at all.
Conservative
Brian Jean Conservative Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB
Why would they not take it to task? Maybe it's because of what Joseph said earlier, that there is a cost to complying with ACPPA?
Assistant General Counsel, Law Branch, Air Canada
Right now I guess the shareholders like the way we manage the business.
Conservative
Conservative
Brian Jean Conservative Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB
Thank you very much.
He's a good friend of mine, by the way.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Merv Tweed
I'm not ruling out more questions, but I think we'll start with another five-minute round. We'll start with the Liberals, and then we'll make a complete circle of the table.
Mr. McCallum.
Liberal
Liberal
Sukh Dhaliwal Liberal Newton—North Delta, BC
I just want a very simple clarification, Mr. Chair.
Again, I would like to thank the witnesses for coming here today. But most of the answers I'm hearing are that we're asking hypothetical questions—yet they're very simple and critical to the proceedings of this committee.
You are a lawyer. I'm an engineer, and I just see black and white. But being a lawyer, you certainly would foresee the future, right?
And in terms of all of these hypothetical questions that are being asked, from your perspective, you analyze the contract that you have, even though there is confidentiality and whatnot. But will the agreement between you and the other company still maintain, follow, and be in compliance with the act?
Director, Government Relations, Air Canada
Yes, the Air Canada Public Participation Act was created specifically for Air Canada. We have every intention of following the Air Canada Public Participation Act. We have no legal ability not to follow the Air Canada Public Participation Act.
Director, Government Relations, Air Canada
But it's the Air Canada Public Participation Act, so it's about us.
Liberal
Liberal
Sukh Dhaliwal Liberal Newton—North Delta, BC
So you're telling us that we should not worry about anything?
Liberal
Sukh Dhaliwal Liberal Newton—North Delta, BC
Will Aveos follow that act? It will not move those centres away? The provisions in that contract you have, even though—
Director, Government Relations, Air Canada
We can't speak to Aveos. Aveos is a separate entity.
What we can tell you is that the Air Canada Public Participation Act applies to Air Canada. Air Canada will ensure that on a going forward basis it will be compliant with the Air Canada Public Participation Act. The law provides for remedy if at any point we're found not to be compliant with the Air Canada Public Participation Act.
I can't interpret the law because, frankly, that's not our responsibility; that's for the courts. But I can say that we are obligated to comply.
Liberal
Sukh Dhaliwal Liberal Newton—North Delta, BC
But in your opinion, there might be some loopholes in that act and law.
Did your company have any intention of going around this or not following it when it went with Aveos, or of finding loopholes and still being in compliance with the act?
Director, Government Relations, Air Canada
If I can rephrase the question to what I think you're trying to get at, you're asking if Air Canada tried to willingly circumvent the Air Canada Public Participation Act?
