Mr. Speaker, Air Canada is an integral part of a cluster of companies including CAE, Rolls-Royce, Bombardier, and Spar which together make up Quebec's vibrant and world renowned aerospace industry.
Air Canada employs nearly 6,000 people in Quebec, and many of its activities are concentrated in and around Montreal.
The designated carrier has dropped its route between Montreal and Italy. As a result 4,629 of Air Canada's 6,000 employees in Quebec have signed a petition to the Prime Minister asking that Air
Canada be designated the flag carrier between Montreal and the Italian market.
Given Air Canada's importance to the economy of Quebec and Montreal, as well as the large Italian community in Montreal, I fully agree with these 4,629 Air Canada employees that Air Canada should be designated as the flag carrier between Canada and Italy.