Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I agree wholeheartedly with Brian's concerns with regard to Air Canada. I don't appreciate the games that are being played. I think that Air Canada has a duty to respect the laws of Parliament. Based on the law and what it states, and some of the discussions that led up to the passage of the law at the time, Air Canada officials and the board have to review whether they're actually abiding by the law. I am of the personal opinion that they are not.
I know I've had opportunity to have discussions within our caucus, and I appreciate that Ms. Neville is with us this afternoon as we try to gain more information. This is an issue that is important, not only to me and Ms. Neville, but to a great deal of people.
I appreciate the presentation. Jean gave a very emotional presentation, and justifiably so. We're talking about thousands of jobs in Winnipeg, Montreal, and Mississauga, and to a certain extent in Vancouver also.
Recently I had the opportunity to meet with a number of Air Canada employees in Winnipeg. They showed up outside in minus 25 degree weather in large numbers—80 to100 workers.
The concern I have, and I will pose the question to the presenters, is that in the discussions I had with these workers they were fairly clear in their thinking that Air Canada is in violation of the law. From their perspective, Air Canada is not abiding.... And what they are really wanting to see is that their members of Parliament in Ottawa hold Air Canada accountable to the Air Canada Public Participation Act.
Is that a fair assessment? Is that the general sense you get as union representatives, not only from Winnipeg employees, but employees in Mississauga and Montreal?