In fact, we cannot be asked to make a priority choice. All means of transport are important. It depends on who it is for and it depends on the needs.
If you ask me what my need is as an elected official, it would be to have a reliable, predictable air service that makes sense, which is not the case at present. I hear the Quebec government talking about regional air transportation, but unfortunately I don't often hear the federal government talking about it, even though it falls under its jurisdiction. You will surely have the opportunity to work on this again at this committee.
As for other means of transportation, it depends on the needs. I understand that there is a certain concentration of people in cities and that there is intra-urban public transport, often with a high priority. But again, the operating costs are financed almost essentially by the municipal administration, which does not have the means to achieve its ambitions. There should therefore be some form of assistance for the operation of public transit, as well as intercity transport which, for people in the regions, is sometimes the means of getting to work or to hospitals or schools. It is important to take this into account.
I was hearing Mr. Maheux's proposals and I almost totally share his concerns. Coach tickets are taxed. Yet it is an essential service. Why do we tax essential services? Why are we taxing regional air service, which is also an essential service? Why do we have to pay the goods and services tax and the Quebec sales tax, among others, on these services, which are essential? Normally, an essential service should not be taxed.