David Anderson

[Pearson International Airport, December 5th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member started off by making references to drinking. When he talks about $662 million to be paid by the people of Canada to buy out mythical profits of a Tory corporation, perhaps he is in the area where something is affecting his judgment.

Let me now go to the issue of fees at airports. Vancouver International Airport, our newest airport, is occupying the same relative position for Asia which I hope Pearson will be in for Europe. Forty-two per cent of the revenues of that airport come from the stores and restaurants which are operating on airport property. It is that which provides a great impetus and money so that it is not necessary to have large increases in landing fees.

I admit to the hon. member that in Vancouver the local authority in its wisdom saw the need to put on a departure tax which ranges from $5 to $15. The local authority in Toronto in its wisdom is choosing a different financial formula. That is what I mean by using local people's knowledge and initiative and local people's entrepreneurship to make the local decisions which suit local conditions.

[Pearson International Airport, December 5th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, the transfer of Pearson to the local authority, the Greater Toronto Airport Authority, took place on December 2 and was very successful. I am delighted that we now have Pearson in the hands of local people from the greater Toronto area who represent all facets of the municipalities and the people involved in operating the airport and using it. They will be able to exploit all the advantages for Pearson.

We want Pearson to be the premier airport to the east of the Mississippi, the central point for connections from Europe and that entire region of North America. To achieve this, approximately $2 billion of expenditures and upgrading at Pearson airport are needed over the next few years. I am confident that the new administration we have put in place at Pearson and the transfer of the airport to that new authority will result in Pearson taking its rightful place as the gateway to Europe for all that part of North America.

[Canadian Airlines, December 4th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, there are two questions here. One is the question of fuel taxes and taxes generally which has been answered by my colleague, the Minister of Finance.

However, it is important for us to remember, including the hon. member whom I commend for his interest in this issue, that Canadian Airlines is not yet in a position where it is assured of success. Ten organizations, five of them unions, three of them governments and two companies are on side. We trust that a vote of the members of the auto workers union who are employed by Canadian Airlines will have a positive result. Of course we are not sure. We do not know how they will vote.

I would remind all members of the House that this company has had five weeks of uncertainty. It has had five weeks of problems, ranging from creditors on the one side to bookings on the other. If Canadian is to survive it needs the co-operation of all parties to move forward with the restructuring proposal to turn from a company which had chronic losses that totalled over $1.3 billion to one in the black which makes money.

[Canadian Airlines, December 3rd, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, I share with all members of the House the concern over the situation that the individual quoted earlier is in. It is a serious problem for the employees of Canadian, of whom there are 16,400 who have their employment threatened if the company is put in further jeopardy.

I am pleased, however, to announce that American Airlines has now agreed to take part in restructuring and to accept Canadian Airlines' proposal for a reduction of its fees as requested by Canadian. This will be the fees on such services as yield management, accounting functions, operations planning and support. This is a very positive step because it is the first time a creditor has indicated its firm support for the restructuring proposals put forward by the president of Canadian Airlines.

[Canadian Airlines, December 3rd, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member is quite correct to point out the importance of having the CAW onside not just with company management but with five other unions, with American Airlines and with the governments: the federal government, the government of the province of British Columbia and the government of the province of Alberta. It is important for them to be onside.

The purpose of that is so we can present a common front when the company is dealing with its creditors. When it is dealing with its creditors, it is important to have the clear expression of will. That is why we urge the CAW leadership to come on board with the restructuring program.

To engage in a long debate with respect to the change of legislation or something in the future is not productive at this particular time. What we want at this time is to have a common front of all the unions, the three governments concerned and the two companies so that we can negotiate successfully with the creditors.

[Canadian Airlines, December 3rd, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, as indicated by my colleague the Minister of Finance, we will be giving the House and the public all information about the fuel tax rebate scheme when we have crunched the numbers and when we have come up with fully accurate information. I am sure the member does not want to have information which is not as precise as we can make it.

I should point out that the program is available for all Canadian carriers that might be in a similar situation and is not specific to Canadian Airlines International.

[Canadian Airlines, December 2nd, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, I am always amazed by the New Democratic Party's enthusiasm for moving forward into the past.

We have a deregulated system now which has created dramatic opportunity, first for Canadian consumers for whom the whole air transport system is set up. They have more choice, cheaper fares and they are using these fares in occupying these seats more frequently.

Deregulation has increased, in addition, the jobs available to Canadians as flight attendants, ticket agents, machinists and pilots. The whole industry has benefited by increased employment.

Again, the hon. member and his party would prefer to cut out those jobs and go back to the old system of regulation where fares would be, I point out, approximately $1,700 across this country instead of an average of $700. That is their policy, Raise fares, reduce competition, reduce jobs and in turn have people travel on foreign airlines instead of Canadian.

[Magdalen Islands Ferry, December 2nd, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, this is not the first time the hon. member has referred to a 1992 report which is previous to this government being elected.

I can assure him that report was looked at with the greatest care. The alleged deficiencies of the Lucy Maud Montgomery were examined and the vessel was brought up to full safety compliance.

[Magdalen Islands Ferry, December 2nd, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, if the member will recall his earlier question, he related it to a letter that had been sent the day before of which I did not have a copy at that time.

With respect to the issue of the ferry to the Madeleine Islands, the situation is quite clear. He is correct, there was money put aside for the purchase of a new ferry. I might add there is also an existing ferry which will serve well for the immediate future. In due course we will replace that ferry with another one.

The important fact to remember is that there are many changes taking place in Atlantic Canada with respect to ferry services. A good number of vessels are coming free or being released from certain routes which previously were taken up. The situation is flexible. We hope to obtain a ship within the price limit that he has suggested to this House.

[Canadian Airlines, December 2nd, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, in no way do we want the Canadian restructuring program to collapse. It is extremely important to that company.

I must be very candid with the House and the hon. member. It is a matter of great regret that one of the six unions is refusing to take part in the restructuring proposal of three governments, the company and the five unions.

However, if I can respond directly to the hon. member's question, it is a matter of my experience over the last week that the Canadian autoworkers and Mr. Hargrove did not always take exactly the same position from day to day. I think now that he realizes that the management of the company is attempting to restructure debt repayment, Mr. Hargrove will realize the critical importance of joining in a collective effort to save this airline.