Thank you so much, Mr. Chair.
Thank you to all of the witnesses for joining this study.
This is something those of us who represent rural ridings have been looking forward to for some time. I want to especially thank my colleague, Mr. Hanley, for persisting on this study and ensuring we got to this very important topic.
It's wonderful that the mayor of my home community, Mayor Atrill, is here to join us. We're also joined in the room by Mayor Sarrah Storey from the village of Fraser Lake. Both of these rural mayors, like rural mayors all across Canada, know just how vital transportation is to the quality of life in our communities. That's why I've been so passionate about passenger transportation, whether it's buses, passenger rail or affordable air travel for northern citizens.
I'll start with Mayor Atrill.
You covered a lot of ground in your opening statement, but I'm curious about the competitors that have tried to enter the Smithers market. I know you've talked to these companies. We'd love to have them at committee to present their story and the challenges they face.
What have you heard in your conversations with smaller companies that have tried to compete head-to-head and serve the local market with affordable airfare?