Madam Speaker, I want to thank the hon. member for Blainville-Deux Montagnes. It goes without saying that this decision will have to be reviewed.
It is totally unacceptable that only seven people make decisions. These people were probably influenced by air carriers. Air Canada played a role. Pressures were made. Why? Because the process was a secret one. Why do we not have the documents and why can we not take a clear look at the situation?
Something incredible happened. We-the hon. members for Blainville-Deux Montagnes, Argenteuil-Papineau and myself-brought petitions signed by some 40,000 or 50,000 people to the transport minister, who was very nice to us, only to tell us the next day that Mirabel was being closed because of the separatists. This is some answer. It is very logical and articulate.
It goes without saying that we must have access to all these documents to review them and to make sure ADM did indeed make the right decision. How did it reach its decision? We want to take a look at the whole process. Personally, I think Mirabel is the airport that should stay open. Sure, Mirabel is in my region, but it has all the necessary structures to expand and meet the future needs of Montreal and the surrounding regions. A brand new airport in full expansion will be closed to transfer flights to Dorval.
I would really like to know how ADM came to this decision. I would like to see all the documents and environmental studies. Environmental groups in the Dorval region are opposed to an increase in the number of flights to Dorval. ADM cannot even guarantee-as its spokesperson, Mr. Auger, said in an interview-that the number of flights to Dorval will increase. "There are X number of flights right now; as for later, time will tell".
This situation is very worrisome for people living around Dorval airport. Dorval cannot be further developed: it has reached its maximum capacity. What will happen? We definitely have to postpone, review, examine and analyze the decision to make sure it is the appropriate one.