Evidence of meeting #145 for Transport, Infrastructure and Communities in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was baggage.
A video is available from Parliament.
Chief Executive Officer, WestJet Airlines Ltd.
Families can sit together with no charge.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Peter Schiefke
Thank you very much.
Next, I will turn the floor over to Mr. Lawrence.
You have three minutes, sir.
Conservative
Philip Lawrence Conservative Northumberland—Peterborough South, ON
Mr. von Hoensbroech, did you have anything else? Did you just want to finish off the response to Ms. Dance?
Chief Executive Officer, WestJet Airlines Ltd.
I just wanted to say that we try to seat families together. If they could not be seated together for whatever reason, they can change their seats with no cost.
Conservative
Philip Lawrence Conservative Northumberland—Peterborough South, ON
The balance of my time I'll spend with you, Mr. Deluce.
We heard from WestJet that high fees and the carbon tax are preventing air passenger travel. My question is more with respect to competition.
Porter has been able to do what many thought was impossible—just like WestJet, I guess, as well—which was to break into the air market. If, in fact, fees were decreased and if the carbon tax was removed and was more favourable, do you think that another Porter airline would have an easier route than you had?
Chief Executive Officer, Porter Airlines Inc.
Yes, absolutely.
As highlighted by other members here today, the tax environment is very onerous on travellers in Canada. With a lower tax regime, there would be a significant increase in overall passenger traffic, which would make it easier for new competitors and carriers with different financial models to enter the market, even those different from Porter, including ultralow-cost carriers, which really depend on low fares stimulating traffic.
Conservative
Philip Lawrence Conservative Northumberland—Peterborough South, ON
Thank you, and thank you for travelling. We really appreciate it.
Thank you for your testimony as well.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Peter Schiefke
Thank you very much, Mr. Lawrence.
We'll turn the floor over to Mr. Iacono for three minutes.
Liberal
Angelo Iacono Liberal Alfred-Pellan, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
My questions are addressed to all three airline companies. I would like short answers of yes or no, and a few words, please. To every airline: Was your airline company bailed out during COVID, and by whom?
Go ahead, WestJet.
Chief Executive Officer, WestJet Airlines Ltd.
No, we didn't receive any government money during COVID.
President and Chief Executive Officer, Transat A.T. Inc.
Yes, we did receive money from the government.
President and Chief Executive Officer, Transat A.T. Inc.
It was from the federal government, through loans.
Chief Executive Officer, Porter Airlines Inc.
Yes, it was from federal government, through loans.
Liberal
Angelo Iacono Liberal Alfred-Pellan, QC
Thank you.
WestJet, did your employees not get any money from the federal government?
Vice-President, External Affairs, WestJet Airlines Ltd.
We received the Canadian emergency—
Liberal
Angelo Iacono Liberal Alfred-Pellan, QC
Thank you. You did receive one. That's all I want to know, a yes or no.
Vice-President, External Affairs, WestJet Airlines Ltd.
Yes. I'm answering it as you asked.
Liberal
Angelo Iacono Liberal Alfred-Pellan, QC
I want you to just give me a yes or no.
Do you truly believe that this is acceptable, at a time when Canadians' pocketbooks are hurting and when they've been saving for their travels, for you to react this way? When you were having a hard time, the Government of Canada bailed you out financially. Is that correct, to each airline? Was it directly or indirectly? Was it through you, directly, through a company or through your employees? Did the Government of Canada bail you out when you were having a hard time? Give a yes or no, please.
Vice-President, External Affairs, WestJet Airlines Ltd.
Sir, we testified today that we've passed savings on to consumers, so I don't understand what you're asking about.
Chief Executive Officer, Porter Airlines Inc.
I'm not sure what the question is. I'm sorry, but can you repeat it?
Liberal
Angelo Iacono Liberal Alfred-Pellan, QC
When you were having a hard time, did the Government of Canada bail you out?