Mr. Speaker, today the U.S. President and the Prime Minister will sign the Open Sky Treaty. That agreement will significantly change the rules governing air transportation between Canada and the United States. It will open an important market for our air carriers. However, they will have to face increased competition.
Air Canada will face more competition in a market where it is currently the only Canadian carrier. The Open Sky Treaty will allow Canadian International to further consolidate its operations with American Airlines, and to provide stiff competition to Air Canada.
For reasons of fairness, the Minister of Transport must reconsider his decision and allow Air Canada to get full access to Hong Kong, the main landing point in Asia. The Bloc Quebecois will not put up with questionable political decisions which adversely affect the only world class carrier based in Quebec.