Transport Committee on Dec. 14th, 2010

[Michel Bissonnette]

We had a seasonal reduction in the work. All of the aircraft were out flying for the summer period, making revenue for Air Canada. Most of the employees who were laid off have been recalled and are currently employed in Montreal and Winnipeg.

[Dennis Bevington, NDP, Western Arctic, NT]

Do you have any intention of laying off any other staff at these facilities?

[Michel Bissonnette]

I do not do staff reductions myself. Aveos would determine the number of employees required to perform the aircraft maintenance and overhaul that they are engaged to perform.

[Dennis Bevington, NDP, Western Arctic, NT]

Is there any sense that there are requirements in terms of inspections of services that would keep these facilities in Canada?

Transport Canada requirements for inspections, even though you are under SMS.... Would there be requirements for Transport Canada to audit your maintenance and overhaul facilities on a regular basis?

[Michel Bissonnette]

We have Transport Canada on site. We also have a self-auditing type of oversight, and we report our audit findings to Transport Canada.

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

Mr. Jean.

[Brian Jean, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB]

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you to our guests who have come to testify today.

I have several questions. First of all, the Air Canada Public Participation Act was passed in 1985. Is that correct? Under subsection 2(1), it says:

“Corporation” means Air Canada, a corporation continued by the Air Canada Act;

As far as you're aware, does this act, anywhere, include Aveos?

[Louise-Hélène Sénécal]

I'm sorry, there's a lot of noise in the back.

[Brian Jean, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB]

Mr. Chair?

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

If I could just call order at the back of the room, please.

[Louise-Hélène Sénécal]

Merci.

The act applies to Air Canada. The act speaks for itself.

[Brian Jean, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB]

Okay. Have you read the act? Are you familiar with it?

[Louise-Hélène Sénécal]

Yes.

[Brian Jean, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB]

Does it include Aveos anywhere in the act?

[Louise-Hélène Sénécal]

No.

[Brian Jean, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB]

Okay.

I'm looking at the articles of continuance. It doesn't say anywhere that thou shalt not sell off a division.

[Louise-Hélène Sénécal]

No, it doesn't say that.

[Brian Jean, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB]

Thou shalt not get rid of maintenance facilities? Does it say--

[Louise-Hélène Sénécal]

It does not say that, no.

[Brian Jean, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB]

Okay. This was done in 1985?

[Louise-Hélène Sénécal]

Yes.

[Brian Jean, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB]

Pretty scary.

[John McCallum, Liberal, Markham—Unionville, ON]

Why was it scary?

[Brian Jean, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB]

I don't think it was a very good job, Mr. McCallum, since you asked.

Does Aveos do work for other airlines?

[Louise-Hélène Sénécal]

Yes, it does.