David Collenette

[Air Transport, June 9th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member seems to forget that Canadian Airlines currently employs 1,000 people in Quebec.

In other words this fellow and his friends speak only for one company. He does not speak for the 1,000 people who work for Canadian Airlines in Quebec, unlike those on this side who speak for the interest of the travelling public. We speak for both airlines and the employees of both airlines, no matter where they live.

[Air Transport, June 9th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, I am surprised at the hon. member. He should know that there is a second carrier policy in place that Air Canada asked this government to put in place and which Air Canada should live by. When a market reaches 300,000 trips, then the government can designate a second carrier. I have said that we expect Taiwan to reach that position later this year and therefore we would designate a second carrier. The same will go for the other countries. Air Canada should live by the rule that it wanted this government to establish.

[Air Transport, June 9th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, as I said last week, the Bloc is always whining. Yesterday I went to Dorval. I had a tour of the airport. I am proud of what ADM is doing to that airport. I am proud of the amount of traffic I saw there, international flights. There is no doubt that is the result of our policies in this government.

[Air Transport, June 9th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, on the contrary, what is good for Canada is good for Quebec.

We have taken steps regarding air routes for all Canadians, regardless of the region they live in, even Montreal, even Quebec.

We have a balanced approach that has helped everybody in the country. It is good for every city in the country and it is good for the health of a competitive airline industry.

[National Highway System, June 4th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, the statements that were attributed to Mr. Brassard were clearly made in the aftermath of the Edmonton meeting.

Route 175 was not raised at that meeting. Obviously the minister for Quebec has some interest in Route 175.

The fact is we talked about the national highway system funds potentially being available. If those funds are available, route 175 would be eligible for funding, subject of course to the approval of the Quebec government.

There is no contradiction in what I said two days ago and what I am saying today.

[Air Transport, June 4th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, I fail to see how designating Air Canada as the carrier from Toronto to Hong Kong seven days a week and five code shares of their choice, much of which will benefit the travelling public of Montreal, is somehow putting Air Canada at a disadvantage. To the contrary. The fact is these changes and further changes that are expected within the year will assist Air Canada in becoming more competitive. It will give it more revenues. It will also do the same for Canadian Airlines. That is the balanced approach, which is what this government believes in and we will stand by it.

[Air Transport, June 4th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, I understand that it is in the best interests of the travelling public to have two viable airlines in Canada. That is why this government put in place measures a couple of years ago to assist Canadian Airlines with its restructuring plan. That plan is working quite well. Canadian Airlines is now making money, as is Air Canada which incidentally made $427 million last year and is doing very well. It will do very much better as a result of these changes.

[Air Transportation, June 4th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, it seems that our friends from the Bloc are always singing the same tune, the tune of being aggrieved.

In this case we have taken a very rational balanced look at the air routes. We have said that it is going to be continually reviewed. Certainly within the year there will be further changes.

In the meantime, new routes and code sharing possibilities have been given to Air Canada. That will all benefit the travelling public not just in Toronto and Vancouver but in Montreal and in other parts of Canada.

[Air Transportation, June 4th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, we gave Air Canada the Toronto-Hong Kong route, and that is in the best interests of Montreal residents, because they can take advantage of the service. We also gave five code sharing preferences, which is good for Air Canada.

We have given five code sharing preferences for Air Canada and five for Canadian Airlines. We have said that we would review it in a year. We have said that Taiwan will probably be given within the year. What more does Air Canada want?

[Air Transportation, June 4th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, of course the president of Air Canada would express some reservation. He is a businessman and likes to get everything he wants. However, we in government have to take a balanced view. We have to decide what is in the best interests of all Canadians, and that is what we have done.