Madam Speaker, I will try to be as quick as I can with the different questions arising from the member's question this evening.
First, I remind the hon. member for Cumberland—Colchester that safety will always be the first priority of Transport Canada. As most Canadians are aware, Transport Canada has operated the country's air traffic control system safely for more than 50 years. We are very proud of that record.
On the issue of NavCan and its management over the past year, the air navigation system continues to be safe and secure. The managers there are intent on maintaining the good and positive record and on enhancing it whenever possible. Air traffic control staffing levels at airports across Canada have always varied in accordance with changing traffic demands and training lead times.
I hope the hon. member understands that at no time is the safety of Canadians put at risk, whether it has to do with the devolution of responsibilities of air traffic control to NavCan or the firefighting and rescue capabilities at a particular airport. I have an airport on the outreaches of Hamilton so I am very cognizant of the member's concerns for the airport.
May I assure the hon. member opposite that again he can receive the unequivocal guarantee he has received already from the Minister of Transport that Halifax will be treated the same way as all other cities in the country have been treated in the negotiations. He will know the Minister of Transport has stood in his place and has put into process the firefighting regulations which are again being looked at by the commission. It will report. In the meantime—