Evidence of meeting #37 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 amendment.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
Shall the committee order a reprint of the bill as amended for the use of the House at report stage?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
This part of the meeting is over. Before we deal with committee business, we will deal with Mr. Aubin's motion. We've had it for several weeks.
Do you wish to speak to it, Mr. Aubin?
NDP
Robert Aubin NDP Trois-Rivières, QC
Yes. I am going to talk about it quickly, because I do not want to delay the committee's work.
This is a subject that has concerned me for several years now. The list of problems associated with aviation safety just gets longer, month after month and year after year. It seems to me to be entirely appropriate that we look at it and that the transport committee do a study on aviation safety.
One of the safety problems at the top of the list relates to the idea of having a flight attendant on board for every 40 passengers. When the flight goes well and there is no turbulence or forced landing, there could be a single attendant on board for 250 passengers. But that should not be the rule. Instead, we should make sure there is at least one flight attendant on board for each of the emergency exits when the worst case scenario materializes, although we hope it will never happen. Reality is quite different, and even though they are not commonplace, accidents do happen. That is the first problem that needs to be looked at.
Training for inspectors would certainly be a subject that numerous stakeholders could shed useful light on for us. That would allow us to see whether we are moving in the right direction.
There is also the question of pilots' licence renewals; in some cases, that is done using a simulator, and that is now accepted. I always have this sentence in mind, that illustrates the problem very clearly. A pilot once told me that when he went to do his certification using a simulator, he knew he would be home for supper. That is, the adrenaline, the risks and the reality are very different, even if the pilot's cabin reproduced in a simulator is completely identical. The reality is not the same when you are actually piloting an aircraft, as compared with when you are in a simulation. That also needs to be reviewed, in my opinion.
We should also examine the question of toxic fumes and cosmic radiation, which sometimes have effects on passengers, but very certainly have on flight attendants, who are often faced with this problem because the effects accumulate over time.
It seems to me that there are enough angles of attack that we should do a study of aviation safety.
Liberal
Vance Badawey Liberal Niagara Centre, ON
Thank you, Madam Chair.
I think it's a great motion. I'll be supporting this motion.
However, to be more pragmatic with the motion, I'd like to add an amendment to it if I may, Madam Chair, so that the motion actually reads, “That the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities conduct a study on aviation safety in 2017”. This is consistent with the motion that's been presented. I would like to add to it, “and that, in consultation with the members, the chair be empowered to coordinate the schedule and resources required to execute this request.”
NDP
Robert Aubin NDP Trois-Rivières, QC
That is not in my motion because it is implied. I do not see how we could do the study in 2016. So 2017 suits me perfectly.
With respect to consulting the members of the committee, I had understood that this was already our working method. So I see no objection, Madam Chair.
(Amendment agreed to)
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
If this is adopted today, it would go to our steering committee meeting, which we will be having on the 13th.
All those in favour of Mr. Aubin's motion as amended?
(Motion as amended agreed to)
Is there anything else before we go in camera?
Yes, Mr. Hardie.
Liberal
Ken Hardie Liberal Fleetwood—Port Kells, BC
I just have a quick comment, while we're still in public session, that the French translation today has been absolutely outstanding. These guys sound good.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
I'm sure they appreciate that.
I will now move that we go in camera to deal with committee business.
[Proceedings continue in camera]