Evidence of meeting #31 for Transport, Infrastructure and Communities in the 41st Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was aveos.
A recording is available from Parliament.
9:10 a.m.
Conservative
Pierre Poilievre Conservative Nepean—Carleton, ON
First of all, I didn't pose the question to Mr. Erlichman. Second, his comments do not relate to my question whatsoever. So I'm going to move on--
9:10 a.m.
NDP
Olivia Chow NDP Trinity—Spadina, ON
This is quite unbelievable. Just look at last Thursday's meeting. We had Air Canada's CEO pass the question to Duncan Dee. At times in this committee when a person has felt that the question wasn't addressed and they wanted to give it to a colleague there has never been a problem.
If this is how it's going to operate from now on, I could also do the same. I just want the chair to rule. Is it up to the person who asked the question to specify exactly who the answer has to come from? If another colleague on the witness panel decides to answer the question and we choose not to hear from that person, are we able to do so? I just want to know if that is what you're going to rule. In the past, sometimes if I ask one person, person B has chosen to answer. Is that your ruling?
9:10 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Merv Tweed
Individual members are entitled to ask the question of whoever they want. It's possible for other people at the table to answer, but because of the limited time of each member, at times members have said “I'd like to continue”.
9:10 a.m.
Conservative
Pierre Poilievre Conservative Nepean—Carleton, ON
Mr. Atkinson, now you're saying you don't want a bailout, but during your statement you said, “While all of this has been unfolding, the federal government has stood by, making no effort to save this company...”.
You've conceded that there's nothing in the act that would save this company. That would leave a bailout, and you've now ruled that out as well. So what exactly are you asking the federal government to do?
9:15 a.m.
President and Directing General Chairman, District Lodge 140, Mississauga, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers in Canada
I wouldn't say I've ruled out a bailout. I'm not sure what the government can do for us. The employment of 2,600 people should be of interest to even the Conservative government, and we should be worried about employment and jobs right across the country. We're asking for assistance from the government to make sure those people get jobs in the future.
9:15 a.m.
Conservative
Pierre Poilievre Conservative Nepean—Carleton, ON
So you accept that they will not be working with Aveos in the future.
9:15 a.m.
President and Directing General Chairman, District Lodge 140, Mississauga, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers in Canada
I accept that Aveos is gone. I'm kind of glad they are gone, because they don't seem to be a very good company to work for.
9:15 a.m.
Conservative
Pierre Poilievre Conservative Nepean—Carleton, ON
Air Canada has said it will have to replace the contract work that was previously going to Aveos, and its preference is for the replacement provider to also employ Canadians. Does that provide you with any comfort?
9:15 a.m.
President and Directing General Chairman, District Lodge 140, Mississauga, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers in Canada
It certainly does.
9:15 a.m.
Conservative
Pierre Poilievre Conservative Nepean—Carleton, ON
What form do you think that could take? Do you see a new company purchasing Aveos assets, hiring former Aveos employees, and continuing the operations to Air Canada and other clients potentially?
9:15 a.m.
President and Directing General Chairman, District Lodge 140, Mississauga, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers in Canada
That would be our goal.
9:15 a.m.
Conservative
9:15 a.m.
Conservative
Lawrence Toet Conservative Elmwood—Transcona, MB
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you to our witnesses this morning.
I want to start by acknowledging that I am from Winnipeg and this has an impact on our community. The workers losing their jobs is devastating, and we take that seriously. We also have to act within the context of what we're able to do.
Is there recognition of the challenge that the airline industry, internationally and in North America, has faced over the last number of years? Is there recognition of that, from your perspective?
9:15 a.m.
President and Directing General Chairman, District Lodge 140, Mississauga, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers in Canada
Yes. Over the last decade the employees at Air Canada and the ones who ended up at Aveos have made a number of sacrifices to make sure the airline kept going. Since the sale of the heavy maintenance division to Aveos we've been working with Air Canada and Aveos to try to make sure they continue operating in all of those cities.
It has been a difficult time in the industry, yes, no doubt.
9:15 a.m.
Conservative
Lawrence Toet Conservative Elmwood—Transcona, MB
Thank you.
Last week when Air Canada was here, I asked them directly what they see as opportunities as they go forward and possibly bring others to.... The assets are there for Aveos, as you've indicated. The facilities are there. Above all, the workforce is there. The skilled work labour pools are there in these centres. They indicated a desire to find somebody that would potentially be able to move into those facilities and continue going forward.
Are you also actively looking for those kinds of opportunities? Would you possibly even be willing to work alongside Air Canada in attracting somebody, an existing company, that may come forward and use those facilities in order to again create these opportunities and these jobs in Canada?
9:15 a.m.
President and Directing General Chairman, District Lodge 140, Mississauga, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers in Canada
Yes, certainly.
9:15 a.m.
Conservative
9:15 a.m.
President and Directing General Chairman, District Lodge 140, Mississauga, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers in Canada
Yes, we are.
9:15 a.m.
Conservative
Lawrence Toet Conservative Elmwood—Transcona, MB
You are. So you would be very, very open to a new group. You actually indicated to Mr. Poilievre that to some degree you're happy to see Aveos go, so you'd be very open to another company coming forward and being part of the solution here.
9:15 a.m.
President and Directing General Chairman, District Lodge 140, Mississauga, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers in Canada
Yes. As you've indicated, a solution, a long-term solution, is what we're looking for.
9:15 a.m.
Conservative
Lawrence Toet Conservative Elmwood—Transcona, MB
Yes. I think that's what everybody's looking for here. We want to see a long-term solution to this too.
I think the one thing that I've heard.... Some of the conspiracy theories scare me a little bit. You've shown in your presentation to us that it was sold for over $700 million, and to think that.... You have the ability through your group also to do some investments, and I'm sure you would not invest $700 million in order to get rid of a company. Would this be something you'd characterize as something you'd be involved in?