Transport Committee on April 20th, 2023

[Omar Alghabra, Liberal, Mississauga Centre, ON]

Mr. Chair, I don't know how to respond to that question when somebody takes a snapshot of one moment without talking about other kinds of implications. We have occasional delays in the sector not only in Canada but also around the world. We have occasional weather disruptions that not only happen in Canada but also happen around the world.

I am focused on the system overall and on making sure the system is robust and efficient so that people are compensated in case they face challenges that are caused by the airlines. We will make sure the system and the airports have the support they need.

I note that his colleague has just expressed opposition to providing investment in CATSA, which I find bizarre, given the challenges they are complaining about.

[Dan Muys, Conservative, Flamborough—Glanbrook, ON]

Thirteen out of 14 is normal or acceptable.

Airports are a federal responsibility. Never mind CATSA, what about Nav Canada? Hold the airports accountable. Where is the accountability here? We've had two emergency meetings of this committee to talk about absolute chaos and disaster at our airports, and we haven't moved the dial.

[Omar Alghabra, Liberal, Mississauga Centre, ON]

I disagree, Mr. Chair. The dial has been moved significantly. If my colleague needs data, we could provide it to him about the performance of the sector regarding where it was last summer or where it is today, I'm happy to do so. However, I'm still not satisfied.

In fact, the budget of 2023 talks about the necessity for more tools so that we can have a more efficient system. That's why the budget talks about data sharing and more authorities to the Minister of Transport to ensure that the system is more efficient. We are working on an accountability system for airports and for Nav Canada.

Mr. Chair, I welcome my colleague's involvement in the work we're doing to ensure that we have a more competitive and more efficient air transportation sector.

[The Chair, Liberal, Peter Schiefke]

Thank you very much, Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Muys.

Next we have Mr. Iacono.

Mr. Iacono, you have the floor for five minutes.

[Angelo Iacono, Liberal, Alfred-Pellan, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Good morning, Minister, it is always a pleasure to have you here.

With respect to supplementary estimates (C), can you elaborate on the $25.6 million for the activities related to unmanned aircraft systems and automated vehicles? What will this money be used for? Why is this money needed?

[Omar Alghabra, Liberal, Mississauga Centre, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you to my colleague for that important question.

We are in the midst of an industrial transformation, including in the air sector. We are, as a government, supporting new technologies that reduce emissions and that improve performance and safety. In return, we need to make sure that Transport Canada is modernized and is able to deal with this new technology so that we are able to certify and to verify this new technology. Those types of investments are meant to ensure that Transport Canada has the resources and the tools necessary to certify and to verify the new technologies that the private sector is producing to make sure our transportation sector is more efficient and more safe.

[Angelo Iacono, Liberal, Alfred-Pellan, QC]

Thank you.

Wouldn't you say that it is impossible to separate the economy and the environment from programs such as the Zero Emission Vehicle Incentive Program and the Ocean Protection Plan, and that they are important for both the economy and the environment?

Can you tell us more about that?

[Omar Alghabra, Liberal, Mississauga Centre, ON]

This is an important question. I think it's clear to Canadians that climate change is real and that it is having a massive impact on our way of life and our economy. It is an existential threat to our planet. If we are to continue to have growth and economic activities, we need to tackle climate change.

In fact, this comes with an added bonus. This transformation in how we produce and consume things means new technologies that will create new jobs for Canadians. The world notices that Canada is a world leader when it comes to these technologies and when it comes to critical minerals. That's why we saw President Biden here a few weeks ago talking about the importance that Canada plays in this new world. We saw the head of the European Commission come here a few weeks ago to tell us how important Canada is. The world is noticing that Canada is a global leader in new technologies and tackling climate change. Our government is committed to playing a role in ensuring that we have a prosperous future for all Canadians.

[Angelo Iacono, Liberal, Alfred-Pellan, QC]

Thank you, Minister.

We are well aware that you have spending priorities that demonstrate the important role that transportation plays in the Canadian economy. You have five, in principle. My question is about two of those priorities, the National Trade Corridors Fund and high-frequency rail.

Can you elaborate on that?

[Omar Alghabra, Liberal, Mississauga Centre, ON]

Indeed, as my colleague said, Transport Canada and I, as the minister of Transport Canada, have priorities to ensure that we have a safe, reliable and efficient transportation sector. Our focus is on building efficient supply chains. That's what the national trade corridors fund is meant to help. We're focusing on tackling some of the bottlenecks. That's why budget 2023 talked about the creation of a supply chain office to maintain and monitor the health of our supply chains. That's why we're focused on cutting emissions from the transportation sector and the decarbonization of it. That's why we're focused on building high-frequency rail. That's why we're focusing on ensuring that we have safe oceans, which the oceans protection plan is meant to do.

We have significant priorities that Canadians expect of us, and we're committed to delivering on those.

[The Chair, Liberal, Peter Schiefke]

Thank you, Minister and Mr. Iacono.

Mr. Garon, you now have the floor for two and a half minutes.

[Jean-Denis Garon, Bloc, Mirabel, QC]

Minister, please know that when I interrupt you, it's because I am really interested in what you have to say and I like to have your input on even more issues. So it's a compliment when that happens.

My next question is about the Saint-Hubert Airport. You know that the arrival of Porter Airlines at the Saint-Hubert Airport is creating stress and apprehension among the public, and rightfully so. There is also the noise of the helicopters, which is very disturbing for the residents of the neighbourhood. The people of the Montérégie would like to be reassured. They are asking you to raise the flight ceiling for helicopters in the Saint-Hubert Airport area.

What can you tell us about this matter?

[Omar Alghabra, Liberal, Mississauga Centre, ON]

Thank you to my colleague for his question.

I actually visited the region just recently. I met with the mayor. We discussed several of these points. I also recently met with Porter Airlines. We talked about their plans to expand into Saint-Hubert airport. This is great news for the region, I think, but I also understand that we need to be sensitive to local communities' concerns. I've actually encouraged Porter to work with the airports on addressing these issues. I also heard from the mayor about the helicopter operations there.

I've committed to working with Transport Canada on identifying ways in which we can address these issues. We're working on that. If there is any development, I'll be happy to share it with you.

[Jean-Denis Garon, Bloc, Mirabel, QC]

Thank you very much.

I'd like to go back to the previous round of questions. Would you be so kind as to apply a little bit of pressure on the issue of the remaining land to be returned to Sainte‑Scholastique, so that the advisory committee that's dealing with it can meet quickly in order to move it forward? Obviously, I know there are other priorities, including environmental ones.

This is a request from the Mirabel community.

[Omar Alghabra, Liberal, Mississauga Centre, ON]

I think you're talking about Mirabel airport. Let me just say that the short answer to your question is yes. I'd be happy to work with officials to ensure that we do everything we can to expedite this process.

[The Chair, Liberal, Peter Schiefke]

Thank you, Mr. Garon.

Thank you, Minister.

Next we have Mr. Bachrach.

Mr. Bachrach, the floor is yours. You have two and a half minutes.

[Taylor Bachrach, NDP, Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Minister, as you're well aware, a little over two years ago two tugboat workers lost their lives in northwest B.C. due to a negligent company and a negligent government. They were on board a vessel that hadn't been inspected in its 50-year life, with safety equipment that had not been maintained by the owner, and the tugboat was not powerful enough for the task that its owner had given it.

The Transportation Safety Board has just issued a report. It's extremely angering to read about the negligence that took place, which cost these two men their lives. I know you share this concern.

The TSB has issued four very reasonable recommendations. One involves a requirement for regular inspections of tugboats under 15 gross tonnes. There's a suitability assessment requirement for specific towing operations, a requirement that the pilotage authority verify that requirements are met prior to issuing waivers, and a requirement that the pilotage authority also verify ongoing compliance.

My question is whether you will commit today to implementing all four of these reasonable recommendations in a timely way.

[Omar Alghabra, Liberal, Mississauga Centre, ON]

Mr. Bachrach, let me just say that I share your frustration with the tragedy that occurred. I want to once again extend my condolences to the families. I soon will be meeting with the families. Thank you for helping to coordinate that meeting.

I can assure you that Transport Canada and I are committed to responding to the recommendations by the Transportation Safety Board. I am committed to implementing and improving our safety measures in response to what we learned from that tragedy.

We are currently reviewing the recommendations issued by TSB. We're taking them extremely seriously. We'll update you and members of this committee with the actions moving forward.

[Taylor Bachrach, NDP, Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC]

By which date will you be able to commit to implementing the recommendations?

[Omar Alghabra, Liberal, Mississauga Centre, ON]

Mr. Bachrach, I commit to you that we're going to do it as quickly as we can.

[The Chair, Liberal, Peter Schiefke]

Thank you very much, Mr. Bachrach.

Thank you, Minister.

Next we have Mr. Strahl.

Mr. Strahl, the floor is yours. You have five minutes.

[Mark Strahl, Conservative, Chilliwack—Hope, BC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I want to turn to the ports now.

There have been several high-profile vacancies, specifically in the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority. There are recommendations from port users for directors who are experts in logistics and transportation. You've refused to appoint those from the prairie provinces who have been recommended to be directors, those who have been nominated from there. However, we've just recently learned that you have appointed former Liberal MPP Sandra Pupatello—a failed Liberal candidate in the last election. You also appointed Nancy DiGregorio—a Liberal donor and organizer—to the Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority.

Why are there roadblocks for directors who have been recommended by port users, those with expertise in logistics and transportation, but a fast track for failed Liberal candidates, donors and organizers?

[Omar Alghabra, Liberal, Mississauga Centre, ON]

Mr. Chair, Transport Canada is committed to working with port authorities on appointing qualified candidates to these boards of directors. Nominations are typically made by different stakeholders, including user groups. Transport Canada typically adopts the recommendations and nominations made by user groups. Sometimes considerations are taken into account if the government feels it's necessary to have a different selection, but the individuals the member has mentioned were all recommended by stakeholders. The Government of Canada proceeded with nominations or selections made by these user groups.

[Mark Strahl, Conservative, Chilliwack—Hope, BC]

It's just a coincidence that they are big-time Liberal donors, organizers and failed candidates. Okay.

The federal government collects about $300 million in lease payments from airport authorities. The airport authorities asked for those monies to be returned to them so they could make significant infrastructure upgrades to prevent things that impact passengers. For instance, we had a baggage belt go down in Toronto Pearson, which affected thousands of passengers.

However, you chose to keep that money in Ottawa and not return those payments to the airports, which will result in higher airport improvement fees to make those infrastructure upgrades. That will result, again, as with the surcharge that the budget has for security, in higher fees for Canadian consumers who are trying to book flights.

Why did you choose to keep that money in Ottawa instead of returning it to the airports so that they could make investments that will benefit the travelling public?

[Omar Alghabra, Liberal, Mississauga Centre, ON]

Mr. Chair, first let me disagree with my colleague. His question is incorrect.

The Government of Canada invests in airports significantly. In fact, over the last couple of years, we've made close to two billion dollars' worth of investments in infrastructure at airports, either through the airport critical infrastructure program or the airports capital assistance program, or the many other initiatives where the federal government provides support to airports.

However, I'll just say that we are committed to identifying additional ways to provide more resources to airports. We recognize that there's still more that needs to be done to improve the capacity and efficiency of airports. We will work with airport authorities to identify other ways to help them.

I want to be clear. Our government has made significant investments. They are way larger than just the rent payments that were made by our airports.