Evidence of meeting #40 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 aircraft.
A recording is available from Parliament.
NDP
Robert Aubin NDP Trois-Rivières, QC
Thank you.
I would like to continue to discuss this same technology. You mentioned that not all aircraft are equipped with tools that would enable them to use this technology. You also said that a critical number of aircraft was needed in order to be profitable, but you didn't mention at what point it would become profitable.
Could you tell us how many aircraft are equipped with the tools needed and how many should be added to reach that economic viability?
President and Chief Executive Officer, Nav Canada
In terms of PBN, at the major airports in Canada where we're really dealing with the airlines, we're probably only about five years away from reaching critical mass.
I think the real issue is going to be is with general aviation aircraft. To the extent they would interact at some of those major aircrafts, it could be an issue. Certainly in the en route phase, with ADS-B, we're now in the 65% to 70% equipage range and increasing that rapidly. We expect that within the next three or four years, we'll be in the 95% equipage range. Things are happening very fast.
Some countries have actually put in equipage mandates, saying it is absolutely mandatory that people be equipped. This is all happening, and it is happening quite fast.
NDP
Robert Aubin NDP Trois-Rivières, QC
Thank you.
In my last remaining minute, I would like to talk about the automated weather observation systems.
With these new stations, can all weather measurements be taken, on the ground and aloft? In the northern parts of the country, is this automated system secure, given the weather conditions?
President and Chief Executive Officer, Nav Canada
Yes, as a matter of fact the new AWOS was developed by Nav Canada at our expense. We spent millions of dollars to do that in replacing the old legacy systems.
One place we tested it for a year and a half, which we had to do in order to satisfy the regulator that it worked, was Iqaluit on Baffin Island. We're quite comfortable with it. This is the best system in the world. We really developed it on our nickel, to make it happen.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Merv Tweed
Thank you.
With that, I'll thank our guests for being here today. We appreciate your time, John, as always. We're just going to take a two-minute recess while our guests excuse themselves, and then we'll come back for the remainder of the meeting.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Merv Tweed
According to the orders of the day, we do have a notice of motion by Ms. Chow.
Then, depending on what the committee wants to do, we will then adjourn and move into the subcommittee. We'll see where we go.
Ms. Chow.
NDP
Olivia Chow NDP Trinity—Spadina, ON
I move that we consider the supplementary estimates (A) 2012-2013, and that the committee invite the minister to appear at his earliest convenience.
If the minister could come before June 7, that would be great, because that is the day that we have to send the motion back to the House.
Conservative
Liberal
Denis Coderre Liberal Bourassa, QC
Mr. Chair, I would like to talk about the other motion. I think we could proceed to the vote. This is standard.
Conservative
Pierre Poilievre Conservative Nepean—Carleton, ON
We have to oppose this motion, because the minister has already appeared before the committee and his schedule is booked for the rest of this session.
That being said, he will be back. There's no question that he will answer questions on the substance Ms. Chow is pursuing here.
NDP
Olivia Chow NDP Trinity—Spadina, ON
I have a question for you, Mr. Chair.
Am I hearing then that the minister is not available between now and when the House rises?
NDP
Olivia Chow NDP Trinity—Spadina, ON
That's too bad.
We could still study the estimates and have the staff here.
Conservative
Ed Holder Conservative London West, ON
Respectfully, through you, Chair, isn't there going to be a subcommittee afterwards? Wouldn't this all be part of the plan?
I find it bizarre that we're doing this when we've asked a subcommittee to take that responsibility.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Merv Tweed
It's a motion that's been put forward by Ms. Chow. Proper notice has been given to the committee. It is committee business because of that, and that is why we're dealing with it.
Ms. Chow, any further comment?
NDP
Olivia Chow NDP Trinity—Spadina, ON
Yes.
I believe it is in our mandate to study the supplementary estimates. That's one of the responsibilities of committee members.
If the minister is not able to come at that time we should still study supplementary estimates (A).
Maybe one of my colleagues can delete the part about the minister appearing. That would still provide us with at least one meeting to study supplementary estimates (A).
Conservative
Ed Holder Conservative London West, ON
Chair, I want to say this as respectfully as I can.
I don't think we need to be lectured about our obligations and our abilities to deal with them. I think we, as committee members, know all of that.
The point I was making is that the issues that are going to be coming up through this committee are in the purview of what is discussed at the subcommittee. While I'm happy to acknowledge that any motion is genuinely able to be discussed at the table, I come back to my point that this should be through the subcommittee, not at this level, and so I'll be opposing the motion.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Merv Tweed
Is there any further comment? There's none.
Ms. Chow has requested a recorded vote.
I'll turn it over to Alex to call the question.
(Motion negatived: nays 6; yeas 5)
I have Mr. Coderre on my list.
Conservative
Liberal
Denis Coderre Liberal Bourassa, QC
No, it's about the motion for which debate was adjourned. I would like to return to the issue concerning Neuville.