Evidence of meeting #12 for Transport, Infrastructure and Communities in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was jobs.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
Luc Berthold Conservative Mégantic—L'Érable, QC
Thank you very much, Madam Chair.
First, I want to thank both of you for taking part in our meeting. We greatly appreciate your participation in the committee's work, and your testimony in particular. It is important for the members of the committee to be able to hear various opinions.
In Manitoba the previous government had concluded an agreement with Air Canada. You are telling us that this agreement does not satisfy Manitoba's current government. Is that correct?
Deputy Premier, Government of Manitoba
I thank the member for the question. It is still currently under review at this stage. We're still just seeking clarity at this stage.
Conservative
Luc Berthold Conservative Mégantic—L'Érable, QC
As a new government, have you had discussions with the federal government on Bill C-10 since your election?
Deputy Premier, Government of Manitoba
We have had discussions with local cabinet ministers with respect to our concerns regarding Bill C-10.
Conservative
Luc Berthold Conservative Mégantic—L'Érable, QC
The interpretation said “local ministers”, but you are referring to the staff in the office of the Minister of Transport, correct?
Deputy Premier, Government of Manitoba
Just to clarify, no, we've been in discussion with local elected ministers of the cabinet who represent Manitoba.
Liberal
Liberal
Gagan Sikand Liberal Mississauga—Streetsville, ON
Mr. Rebeck, could you confirm that when Aveos went bankrupt, it put 2,600 people out of work in Winnipeg, Montreal, and Mississauga?
President, Manitoba Federation of Labour
Yes, that's correct. That's what I'm working with too.
Liberal
Gagan Sikand Liberal Mississauga—Streetsville, ON
How many of Aveos's former maintenance workers in Winnipeg have been hired by Air Canada or other Canadian maintenance service providers?
President, Manitoba Federation of Labour
I'm not aware that any of them have been hired by Air Canada. I'm not sure where they've ended up.
Liberal
Gagan Sikand Liberal Mississauga—Streetsville, ON
Okay.
Is it that you don't know, and that is a number we can get later?
President, Manitoba Federation of Labour
I don't know, but I can look into that and get something to you.
Liberal
Gagan Sikand Liberal Mississauga—Streetsville, ON
Okay. Thank you.
For the Honourable Deputy Premier, what role if any has the Government of Manitoba played in encouraging foreign companies to establish their businesses in former Aveos facilities?
Deputy Premier, Government of Manitoba
Thanks very much for the question.
I'm sure you can appreciate that we've just come through an election and we're in the process of establishing how we're going to go about making some necessary changes here in Manitoba to reflect what we want to do to encourage foreign businesses to set up shop here. We believe that growing our economy is contingent upon making sure we have good-quality jobs here in Manitoba.
I hope you can appreciate that we've only been on the job for a few days. We'll have to stay tuned and bring forward the rest of that answer in days to come.
Liberal
Gagan Sikand Liberal Mississauga—Streetsville, ON
I can certainly appreciate that.
I forgot to mention I am going to split my time with my colleague, Mr. Fraser.
What would you suggest the federal government do, if anything, to foster competitiveness in Canada's aircraft maintenance sector? That is to the deputy premier.
And we've only been in power since October.
Deputy Premier, Government of Manitoba
Right, I know. I appreciate that.
We need to look at a collaborative approach to making sure we work together to provide the competitive environment here in Manitoba that is conducive to attracting the jobs to our province. We look forward to working with the federal government to ensure we can bring these high-quality jobs to Manitoba.
Specific to this bill, we agree with the federal government's modernization of the act and the expansion of the geographic scope. It's the specific changes that have a negative impact on jobs within the aerospace industry in Manitoba that we take issue with. That's where we need to work together with the federal government to ensure a net benefit for the province of Manitoba.
Liberal
Gagan Sikand Liberal Mississauga—Streetsville, ON
Thank you for your replies.
I'll pass the remaining time I have.
Liberal
Sean Fraser Liberal Central Nova, NS
Thanks very much, and congratulations, Ms. Stefanson, on your recent post.
To both of you, does Manitoba have the workforce and the suppliers available to compete in the global aviation industry without the aid of legislation?
Mr. Rebeck, go ahead.
President, Manitoba Federation of Labour
Sure, I think we have lots of innovative people and a vibrant workforce that's ready to take on that challenge, but that doesn't mean we should change legislation that's in place to protect and require an obligation to provide a certain number of jobs in different regions in Canada. That's what this act is proposing to do, so work needs to be done.
Governments need to be working government to government, and as our minister said, we need to protect the net benefit for the provinces named in the act.
Liberal
Deputy Premier, Government of Manitoba
Thank you very much.
It is a very good question, and I thank you for asking.
The federal and provincial governments need to work together to ensure we have the skilled workforce that is needed for this industry and for other industries in the province of Manitoba, but we can't do that alone. We need to work collaboratively toward a solution, to make sure the trained and skilled workers are there to fill those jobs. That is one of the most important things when it comes to the aerospace industry.
