Madam Chairman, I am pleased to take part in this debate. The motion reads:
That this Committee take note of the difficulties experienced in the Canadian airline industry.
It is important to make a distinction between the difficulties experienced before September 11 and those that result from the events of September 11. If the events of September 11 had not occurred, the House would not have met to settle Air Canada's problems, including its longstanding management problems, and problems with the Official Languages Act and with providing adequate services in the regions. It is quite possible that this company, with the type of services that it provides to the regions, is experiencing serious financial problems. It is always necessary to have business clients to succeed and, in the end, make money.
But if services are disorganized, as they have been in recent years, it becomes less and less practical to fly. This problem is one that existed before September 11 and it should not influence the efforts that must be made to solve the current situation at Air Canada and in the whole Canadian airline industry.
What happened since September 11, since these terrible events? The terrorist attack generated a fear that has resulted in a major loss of clientele within Canada and in terms of the number of passengers coming from abroad, because this is very much an international crisis, since travellers all over the world are still traumatized by what happened. Some efforts should be made in that regard. The most harmful effect being felt today as a result of this loss of clientele is the loss of thousands of jobs everywhere.
For years society kept saying “The less governments get involved, the better it is”. We are now realizing that it is important to have a true state, a real state that can take action to ensure compliance. Today, we heard that safety should really be a government responsibility and that we should make sure that security officers are properly trained, that the hired staff is well paid and that it gets the necessary training to do its job.
I believe these are the essential basic conditions because what has to be done is to get people back to taking the plane. They have to be told that people are flying again. MPs have begun to fly again within Canada. So have others, and this must be made known. I believe a promotional and advertising effort needs to be made to tell people that yes, things are safe again. But, as always in marketing, claims must not be made that cannot be guaranteed. If we are going to assure people that the system is going to be safe, means must be taken first to correct the situation so that it is.
As well, a very thorough assessment of losses is necessary. What are the consequences of the September 11 terrorist attacks? What are their true consequences on the air industry? Have all companies been affected, not just Air Canada? Do they have to be considered as well? As well, we need to realize, and this is very important, that this is going to be a terrible test of our social programs.
Let us keep in mind that EI has been cut markedly in recent years, rather viciously and deeply cut. Today, we have to realize that, in circumstances such as these, an emergency solution has to be found. Also, in my opinion, a long term solution is necessary so that our social programs will not only serve the people in the airline industry who are living through a catastrophic situation, but also the other people also affected by it.
The tourist industry does not have the lobbying power that Air Canada does, because it is often made up of a number of small businesses. Today, we are already aware that there are fewer tourists from the U.S. and Europe. Why would the tourism industry not also be entitled to some form of government assistance? It is no more responsible than was Air Canada. These elements must therefore be taken into consideration.
As far as the EI system is concerned, this afternoon I asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Human Resources Development whether the minister was indeed prepared to agree to job sharing. There seems to be some openness toward this, and it must be available as well to all other industrial sectors affected by the situation. We do not want a response like the one given today about “proceeding on a case by case basis”.
Does case by case mean that the important company with a lobby will win points and that the small businesses, which lack the power and influence with the government, will not? The government has to make a clear and definite decision. It must make a commitment to the effect that, yes, it will make airline travel safe, show that it is safe and provide equal help to all industrial sectors that were affected, and will unfortunately continue to be affected, by the events of September 11.
We have a set of situations that requires a much more dynamic approach than what we have seen from the minister this evening. I was really disappointed, because this afternoon, during oral question period, we were told “Wait for the debate. We will see what the outcome is”. This evening we have been debating practical matters, but they do not get to the heart of the problem and the issue on the table.
I would like someone from the government to tell us whether the suggestions by a Liberal member, who said the price should be lowered for all young people and seniors, will be the government position. We are anxious to know.
Here again this is a bit of interventionism. Another attempt at targeting and creating bureaucracy. What it would take basically is something that brings customers back to planes, something that makes them want to fly. It is a good, quick and efficient service. The services provided must meet consumer needs.
Tomorrow morning, even if everyone were asked to take Air Canada planes in the regions of Quebec, we still have the problem of few flights. The customer gets very little consideration. It is not easy to arrive at a reasonable time. When changing planes is involved, it becomes really awful. It is quicker to drive from Ottawa to Rivière-du-Loup than to fly there. This is a fact. It is a specific example and must be addressed in the recovery planned for Air Canada and the entire Canadian airline industry.
I hope that tonight's debate will make the government understand that it has to show some leadership, so that people can believe that flying is once again a safe and efficient way to travel. Through word of mouth, people will come to realize that flying is once again a valid option and will regain confidence in other industries as well.
It is important to realize that. We need to show compassion to the people who stand to lose their jobs. When people lose their jobs, it has an impact not only on their families, but even on the corner store operator and on the whole economy. If we take all these things into account, if the Liberals show the leadership the people expect to see from them, I think we will manage to pull through this crisis and find some kind of solution to put the economy back on track. We will erase all the fear the terrorists have put in the heads and hearts of our fellow citizens.
This should be our main purpose. To show the terrorists that they have not won anything by the attacks they carried out on September 11, we have to pull through, to turn things around, and to restore the people's confidence in the airline industry, which would be in the interests of all Quebecers and all Canadians.