Mr. Speaker, the government's extortion of the highest amount of rent paid by the Greater Toronto Airport Authority in Canada is that it discourages some airlines from flying out of Pearson International Airport. The end result is that the three segments most affected by this situation are airlines, individual air travellers and small business owners.
Pearson International Airport is the largest airport in Canada and it is growing rapidly. However, if there is no action taken by the minister to remedy the rent situation, the economic viability of the airport, not to mention all the local businesses which derive substantial economic spinoff benefits from it, will be at risk.
I strongly urge the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities to act immediately to reduce the amount of rent it charges to the GTAA in order to avoid any further damage to the economic well-being of Pearson International Airport.