Madam Speaker, I have taken careful note of the hon. member's question.
I am indeed from a large region encompassing Abitibi, Témiscamingue and Nunavik. It is the largest region in all ten Canadian provinces, with an area of 802,000 square kilometres, 36 airports, a population of 100,000, and 68 mayors, counting the aboriginal chiefs and mayors in Nunavik.
In committee, the Minister of Transport spoke several times of northern communities and small communities. On October 12, I introduced Motion M-129 to the House, to protect northern Quebec. On October 19, I asked some questions in a transport committee meeting. I also did so on October 26.
Yesterday, I made a statement in the House, precisely to send a message about the north to the Minister of Transport.
Mr. Davis, the President of First Air, is asking the minister to oppose any agreement that does not specifically guarantee the interests of northern consumers, the people of the Arctic and of Northern Quebec, and those of the aviation industry and its employees, airports and investments.
The President of Makivik, Peta Aatami, said the same thing I have said several times here in this House: AThe federal government is legally and morally responsible for protecting the interests of the Inuit covered by the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement who could be affected by any reorganization of the Canadian air industry.
In response to the member's question, the Government of Canada stated, as outlined in the minister's speech, that it was going to respect small communities, both those in the south and those in major centres such as Val d'Or and Amos, as well as the airports at Lebel-sur-Quévillon, Matagami and Radisson. I could go on, there being 68 in all within my riding. Particularly in the Sept-Îles sector and other parts of Northern Quebec, the Government of Canada must respect the progress that has been made in air transportation to date.