Evidence of meeting #51 for Transport, Infrastructure and Communities in the 41st Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was agreed.
A recording is available from Parliament.
3:40 p.m.
NDP
The Vice-Chair NDP Hoang Mai
Excuse me a moment, Ms. Morin.
Mr. Watson would like to raise a point of order.
3:40 p.m.
Conservative
Jeff Watson Conservative Essex, ON
On a point of order, Mr. Chair, the interpreter is raising the question that because she doesn't have a copy of the motion, it is posing some difficulties in the translation with members at the table.
3:40 p.m.
Conservative
Jeff Watson Conservative Essex, ON
If we can resolve that, perhaps she could reread the motion for the interpreter.
3:40 p.m.
NDP
The Vice-Chair NDP Hoang Mai
Ms. Morin, let's wait until the interpreters have the motion in their hands.
3:40 p.m.
NDP
Isabelle Morin NDP Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Lachine, QC
That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee undertake a study on the recent ministerial order pertaining to air transportation, to study the impacts on the safety of passengers and the mental health of crew members; that the Minister of Transport, officials from Transport Canada, industry as well as labour representatives be invited to appear during the course of the study; and that every effort be made to ensure that the meetings in relation to the study be televised.
So, given that Mr. Mai submitted the notice of motion last Friday and that he is chairing the committee today, I am asking for unanimous consent to bring forward the motion.
3:40 p.m.
NDP
3:40 p.m.
NDP
Isabelle Morin NDP Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Lachine, QC
Great.
We all know what has happened. There was an accident involving an Airbus 320 flown by Germanwings; it crashed in the French Alps and the black boxes have been analyzed. French justice officials have declared that the co-pilot deliberately caused the crash by flying the aircraft into a mountain. There has been an opinion—
3:40 p.m.
Conservative
Jeff Watson Conservative Essex, ON
Chair, as this relates to a matter of committee business, I move that we go in camera.
3:40 p.m.
NDP
3:40 p.m.
NDP
Isabelle Morin NDP Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Lachine, QC
The black box has revealed a number of facts. During a flight from Barcelona to Düsseldorf, the pilot left the flight deck and was not able to return to it. The prosecutor in Marseille then confirmed that the recordings showed that the co-pilot, Andreas Lubitz, locked the door to the flight deck after the captain briefly left and began the aircraft's descent.
According to the German newspaper Bild am Sonntag, the first 20 minutes of the flight contained routine, technical exchanges between the pilots. The captain told his co-pilot that he had not had time to go to the toilet. At the start, that is what is heard on the black boxes. Then, at 10:27 a.m., the pilot asks Mr. Lubitz to prepare for the landing in Düsseldorf. The co-pilot said something like “I hope so; we will see”. The captain left to go to the toilet and, shortly afterwards, the descent towards the mountains began.
For us, it is important that air safety be taken very seriously. People can have mental health problems and that has to be taken seriously. That is what we would like to study at this committee. The minister, Transport Canada officials and the unions could come and explain the challenges they face with pilots and co-pilots with mental health issues. We feel that it is important to take this issue seriously. A study of the matter by this committee would be perfectly appropriate.
Thank you.
3:45 p.m.
Conservative
Jeff Watson Conservative Essex, ON
Chair, as this relates to, as I said earlier, a matter of scheduling and business of the committee, I move that we go in camera.
3:45 p.m.
NDP
The Vice-Chair NDP Hoang Mai
I call the question on whether the meeting shall move in camera.
(Motion agreed to)
We will suspend the meeting for a few minutes.
[Proceedings continue in camera]