Mr. Speaker, I will use the last five minutes allotted to me to summarize what I said previously.
My colleague's amendment will be dealt with by other members. As for me, I prefer to focus on Bill C-20 itself. I will address two questions: what will happen, and what I fear from this bill.
For those who are not familiar with this bill, it concerns the privatization of air navigation services, which will imply additional costs. The users of air services and air navigation services will foot the bill.
I am ready to admit that we must all tighten our belts, considering the state of public finances. However, I fear something that I will share with you.
The Nav Canada committee was created to set a fee schedule for all types of carriers. What I fear is that small carriers will be forgotten. We know perfectly well that a $1 increase in fares means a $1 loss in sales for small carriers.
This could have a very negative impact on the regions. I am talking here about small carriers who employ mechanics, baggage handlers, receptionists and pilots who play an important part in a region's economy.
Businessmen and women often have to go to Montreal or Quebec on business. I speak for my region of course, but it is the same in other remote regions in the rest of Canada. If ever they impose a fee structure that is too high for small carriers, I fear that some of them will not survive. I can tell you they already have a hard time, because of the small number of passengers.
I will never try hard enough to convince the government that the Nav Canada committee must establish a good fee schedule so that big carriers will pay just as much as small ones, if not more, because they are probably in a better position to do so.
This sums up my concerns and I think they are justified since there are no Quebecers on the Nav Canada committee. Time will tell if I am right.