Mr. Speaker, I listened carefully to the speech of the Reform Party member and I have a question for him.
I would like to know what he thinks of the cost-effectiveness of air carriers, whether it is Air Canada or Canadian. I have no doubt that air carriers are making money between Quebec City and Montreal, because the flights are full and reservations are required. The same goes for the Montreal-Toronto and Montreal-Vancouver flights. There is no problem there, there is free competition and people must make reservations at least a few days in advance.
The problem is in the regions. My question to the Reform Party member is this: If a regional airport is not making money, if an air carrier keeps accumulating deficits in providing service between a region and a major centre, would the member and the Reform Party close the airport in that region?
I would like the hon. member to confirm to me that, regardless of how remote or sparsely populated the region is, it is the federal government's responsibility to keep these airports open and to maintain air transportation in these regions. This is my own point of view, but I believe the Reform Party's view is that if it is not profitable, then it should be closed. I would like the hon. member to confirm this to me.