Mr. Speaker, the present government has completely ignored the transportation needs of many rural parts of the country.
The costs of travel to Newfoundland and Labrador are prohibitive to most. This has a major effect on the central Newfoundland area and on Gander in particular, where there is now only one Air Canada flight in and out each day.
This makes it almost impossible for businesses who depend on the movement of goods and services to compete on a level playing field. Tourists and the travelling public are being hit. The net result is having a negative effect on the economy. This area and other areas of rural Canada deserve better.
The government says these problems are at arm's length, out of its reach, and so will the Gander--Grand Falls seat be on election day.