Madam Speaker, it really troubles me that for nothing more than political partisan principles, this hon. member would come to the conclusion that the reasons why he cannot support the bill, and obviously the chief reason why he cannot support this bill, is because he feels that the transfer of the air navigation system to NavCan would be "to the detriment of safety," or "there is not much talk of safety in this bill," or "the principles of safety have not been kept in mind".
Remarks like that from the hon. member opposite are totally irresponsible and bordering on fear mongering. I want to explain to the hon. member again why safety is a priority of the government and why safety regulations have been built into this bill to ensure that safety is the number one priority of the government and of NavCan, the not for profit agency that will take over air navigation services in this country.
The supremacy of safety comes through references to the Aeronautics Act and regulations made pursuant to that act. I am not sure if the hon. member even knows what the Aeronautics Act is. If he did he would understand that the supremacy of the Aeronautics Act in this bill assures safety. Clause 5 of the bill states that "nothing in this act affects the application of the Aeronautics Act". Again, it is a demonstration that safety is the number one concern of NavCan and the government when it struck the bill.
Clause 14 states that any changes in services or facilities that Nav Canada wants to make must be subject to the Aeronautics Act and any regulations made under that act that relate to aviation safety or safety of the public are again subject to the Aeronautics Act, an act that has served this country well, an act that ensures safety for the travelling public in this country.
Where it was determined that the Aeronautics Act could be strengthened, Bill C-20 provides for consequential amendments to the Aeronautics Act. Clause 101 of Bill C-20 provides for an amendment to the Aeronautics Act to give the minister authority to make orders directing ANS Corporation to maintain or increase the level of civil air navigation services it provides in accordance with such terms and conditions as may be specified in the orders. Clause 103 provides for a significant maximum daily fine for conviction arising from a failure to implement a safety order.
While Transport Canada was both the operator and the regulator of the air navigation system, safety of the system was largely governed by internal departmental standards, practices and procedures. These internal safety procedures, policies and practices are now being given legal effect through part eight of the Canadian aviation regulations. These regulations will be in effect prior to the transfer of ANS to Nav Canada.
If the member wants more, the regulations will also require Nav Canada to establish a safety management program that provides for an internal system of oversight to ensure the safety provision of civil air navigation services.
On top of all these safeguards, if that was not enough for the hon. member to stop this-I will not go on.
ANS will remain subject to independent scrutiny by the Canadian Transportation Safety Board, the CTSB. The separation of operational responsibility and regulatory responsibility has the advantage of offering an arm's length relationship between the regulator and the regulated. This arrangement has served the public interest well in the case of the regulation of air carriers, aviation personnel, aircraft manufacturers and other commercial aviation.
Part eight of the Canadian aviation regulations also give the minister the right to request the provider of civil air navigation services to conduct an aeronautical study when proposing to reduce a service. An aeronautical study is intended to demonstrate how aviation safety will be addressed. If the minister is not satisfied with the results of the study, the service provider can be directed to maintain the service.
I am not sure if the hon. member opposite was aware of all these particulars in Bill C-20. I am sure that if he were, he would not get up and start talking about how the bill is to the detriment of safety or that there is not much talk of safety in the bill or that the principles of safety have not been kept in mind. I assure the hon. member opposite they have been.