Transport Committee on April 15th, 2010

[Jeff Watson, Conservative, Essex, ON]

I don't think that challenge is dissimilar to that in a variety of sectors beyond the aviation industry. I think we face a productivity challenge as a result of demographics, our aging demographic and what comes in behind it. The choices are either to increase productivity, which is to do more with less than historical employment levels, or to perhaps see some contraction in the size of various industries to sort of rightsize the relationship. Are those two plausible outcomes of a situation like this?

[Daniel Slunder]

I'm not sure--

[Jeff Watson, Conservative, Essex, ON]

I'm just trying to provide some context, if you will--

[Daniel Slunder]

Right.

[Jeff Watson, Conservative, Essex, ON]

--for your ask not only for the restoration of historical levels, but for additional levels beyond that. I'm trying to gauge whether or not that's a reasonable presumption based on the productivity challenge of entire sectors. Or should that not be a consideration at all for the aviation industry?

[Daniel Slunder]

I think outside experts have linked the number of inspectors in Transport Canada and the aviation pilot inspectors to the level of safety. I think, though, the more inspectors you have, the better you'll be able to manage the safety of the industry--or the lack thereof, if we're not there. The additional--

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

A point of order, Mr. Chair?

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

Excuse me.

Mr. Jean, on a point of order.

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

Yes. The witness has just referred to some outside experts who have identified that safety is tied directly to the amount of inspectors. I would like to have him table that information to the committee, please.

[Daniel Slunder]

Excuse me. I'm sorry. You'd like...?

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

I'd like you to table the names of those experts--

[Daniel Slunder]

Oh, yes. Justice Virgil Moshansky--

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

--and the reports, if you have them. Do you have copies?

[Daniel Slunder]

I don't have that with me. I'll see if can--

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

Do you mean Justice Moshansky who testified here in front the committee?

[Daniel Slunder]

That would be the gentleman.

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

Okay. Are there any other experts?

[Daniel Slunder]

None that I can cite right now.

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

Okay. Could you provide that list--

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

Due to time, just provide the report you're referring to through the chair, if you could.

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

--and any other experts?

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

Mr. Watson, you have about 20 seconds.

[Jeff Watson, Conservative, Essex, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I appreciate the intervention because I was going to ask a question on the fact that you said “experts”, plural, and that's why I wanted.... I appreciate the clarifying intervention by Mr. Jean.

I have no further questions so I'll cede the floor back to you, Mr. Chair.

I thank the witness.

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

Thank you.

Mr. Dhaliwal.

[Sukh Dhaliwal, Liberal, Newton—North Delta, BC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Slunder.

On the one side, we are hearing that there are serious concerns about the looming retirement of inspectors, but on the other hand, if we look at the Conservative 2010 budget, we'll see that they have frozen the operating budget for Transport Canada. Do you see this as an irresponsible step going forward?