Jean Lapierre

[Canada-Gabon Tax Convention, March 11th, 2005]

moved that the bill be concurred in.

(Motion agreed to)

[Air Transportation, March 11th, 2005]

In the meantime, for those more interested in the passengers than in heckling, I will tell the hon. member that alternatives are now being offered to them by other companies, including Air Canada, WestJet, CanJet and VIA Rail. All the companies have pulled together to lend a hand. I am told that the number of aircraft has been increased, as well as—

[Air Transportation, March 11th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, I have always known that the Bloc was slow, but for the hon. member to have just heard— Jetsgo made the announcement at midnight, last night that it was ceasing operations. The company also requested a court hearing today to to seek protection under the law.

[Transport, March 11th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, indeed we recognize the great potential of B.C. ports. That is where there is such great development these days. The demand is so great. That is why the B.C. caucus is behind the port facilities of B.C. We want to move on those issues to make sure the Pacific gateway gets moving and we get more trade and more activity at the port.

We are all on the same page in that respect. The B.C. caucus is pushing very hard and it will get results.

[Transport, March 11th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, this question has been with us for a while. We are discussing it with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to try to find a solution.

Effectively this is a question of fairness. I know the arguments have been brought forward. We are trying to find a solution. Maybe there will be the prospect of a solution in the amendment that we are going to bring to the Canada Marine Act that would give much more freedom to the ports of Vancouver and Fraser.

[Airline Industry, March 11th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, first of all, the member should know that there are no increases for another year. Between now and then I am sure that my colleague the Minister of Finance and I are going to have many discussions. As far as the competition in Canada goes, I think the consumer has been very well served. We can talk to any travellers in the country who have used air services in the last few years. They are very happy with the competition. They get better prices. They get better service. They are very happy about it.

[Airline Industry, March 11th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, that guy is such a big mouth every day, and worst of all, he never stands up to speak. He always speaks from his seat.

[Airline Industry, March 11th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, as much as I am sympathetic to the question, I have to say that in the U.S. there are five major air carriers under the protection of the law and that does not have anything to do with airport rents. In this case there are other carriers in the country that are making business, but obviously--

[Airline Industry, March 11th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, we all know that the member does not believe in the free market economy, but we are not going to go back to the old way. We are not going to nationalize Jetsgo or any other airline company. We are going to have a competitive market. We are going to help entrepreneurs trying to get into this market. There are good days. There are bad days. This is part and parcel of business.

The consumers are protected. Many of those consumers are protected, for example, if they bought their tickets from a travel agency. In many provinces, there are provisions, money is in a fund and they are protected. If they bought them with their credit cards sometimes they have some protection. Some others have insurance, but we are not--

[Airline Industry, March 11th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, I imagine that the leader of the Conservative party, an admirer of U.S.-style right-wing politics, also realizes that five major U.S. airlines are also under bankruptcy protection. I know that the U.S. serves as his model, but is this any better? No.

The reality is that there is fierce competition going on at the present time, which benefits the consumer. I thought he liked the free market economy and was even an advocate of that model. The consequences have to be accepted, both good and bad.