Madam Chairman, I would like to thank my colleague from Fundy--Royal for sharing his time. Coming from the far east of the country, we are certainly affected by what is happening as much as anyone in the country, and more than most except for the people from the far west, including my colleague from South Surrey--White Rock--Langley.
Newfoundland is often referred to as the rock, even though those who know it know it certainly is not. It is a tremendous place. Ottawa is often referred to as a hard place in which to get anything done. I guess I am always caught between a rock and a hard place. I am at the mercy of Air Canada because basically it is the only regular airline we have coming in. It is basically a monopoly.
What does it do for service? Let me say this: not very much.
Like all my colleagues who have spoken, I have concern about what is happening. We saw a tremendous change in the air industry after September 11. In fact, while I am on my feet I should pay tribute to the numerous Newfoundlanders who played a tremendous part in assisting all those who were affected and who helped out the many people who had to land in Newfoundland, at St. John's, Gander and some others, perhaps at Goose Bay and Stephenville. I guess even Deer Lake was affected to a large degree by the people who landed there and had to stay there for quite some time.
In fact one person was met by a friend of mine. He said “So are you stuck here for a few more days?” The person said “I'm not stuck. I've never had such a time in my life”. That speaks pretty well for the members of the Newfoundland and Labrador constituencies and it is no surprise to anyone who knows the area.
However these people from Newfoundland and Labrador who were so gracious are also greatly affected themselves, not only the people who work in the airports, but as others mentioned, the people who work in the hotels, the taxi drivers, the truckers, the tourism industry, the stores. I could go on and on because everyone is affected. Consequently, if we are to help one, we must help all. If we are to help one airline, we must help all airlines.
There are two things we must look at: first, that we do have what we call a national carrier, and second, that a way must be found to keep it flying, but not at the risk of negatively affecting others who are in competition because it is competition that makes the world go round.
In Newfoundland if we had more competition we would not have to put up with some of the poor service we have been getting. I will take a minute or so just to illustrate a couple of examples. I can use personal examples from the weekend.
I left here on Friday, rushed to the airport to find out my flight was delayed and got into Halifax to find out we did not have a plane. Finally one was found and when we were ready to board, after another hour and a half wait, there were mechanical difficulties with the plane and more delays. Finally we got into St. John's and I got home at 1 or 1.30 in the morning after driving from the airport.
When I was coming back on Sunday, most people on the flight I was on would have left home at 12 o'clock to get to the airport in time to check in. We got on our flight, got to Halifax and were told we had an hour's wait. We got up to get off the plane and were told we could not get off the plane unless we were changing planes; if we got off we would not be allowed back on. We waited for an hour and a quarter and then came on to Ottawa. Between St. John's and Halifax, we had a bag of peanuts. Between Halifax and Ottawa, we had a bag of peanuts. It was about eight hours from the time people would have left home until they got to Ottawa, and others probably went further, and they had two bags of peanuts, including a person who had a diabetic condition and needed some sugar. There was no fruit or anything on the plane to give to that person. That is the type of service we get for paying $2,200, round trip.
The dangerous thing I heard here tonight was the suggestion that there is a possibility that an influx of money might be put into Air Canada but it would be the responsibility of the Minister of Industry, Captain Canada, as someone said, the person who arrested the Spanish fishermen's boat, gave back the fish, gave them extra quota, apologized, kissed them and sent them on their way.
Government should challenge the private sector to get involved here. What an opportunity. Change the rules so that it can do so and let us get on with the business.