House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2000, with 67% of the vote.
Terrorism October 5th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, consistently the Prime Minister, the solicitor general and other ministers have emphasized the point that in the parliamentary system of government discussions of this nature are on the floor of the House in general terms, but when it comes to security information it is kept privileged for the very reasons that it is sensitive and it deals with national security.
Airline Industry October 5th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, I have said consistently that the use of air marshals was not the preferred direction of the government.
We want to ensure that security measures are in place at airports to prevent the need for putting armed personnel on planes, which in itself creates some degree of danger and is not endorsed, certainly not at this point, by the pilot unions in this country. In fact, Mr. Bush has not even agreed to the arming of cockpit personnel on planes.
This is a matter that is evolving. This is a matter that we will be discussing in future weeks with the FAA.
Airline Industry October 5th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, as we have seen in the last couple of weeks, the hon. member is very selective when he brings forward the facts. The fact is that Ronald Reagan national airport has been partially reopened to a limited number of U.S. air carriers serving only eight cities.
Up to this point Canada had a privileged position in that Air Canada was the only foreign airline allowed to fly into Reagan national. As the U.S. authorities deem Reagan national to be safe for full operation I hope we can resume the Air Canada service into that airport.
Health October 4th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, I will have to take the hon. member's question as notice and bring it to the attention of my colleague, the Minister of Health.
Airline Industry October 4th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, that is absolutely false.
Transportation October 4th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, I know the hon. member is new to the House, but it is a well accepted principle that the Prime Minister uses the executive fleet for security reasons, as advised by the RCMP.
Transportation October 4th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, at a time when we are trying to build confidence in air travel all the hon. member is doing is using speculative reports in the media to heighten attention. I say shame on him.
Canadian Airline Industry October 2nd, 2001
Mr. Speaker, as I just said, in the first instance we reimbursed the companies for the losses they incurred through no fault of their own. It was the governments of the United States and Canada that ordered for good security reasons the airspace to be closed. They suffered those losses and we have compensated the companies.
As we go forward we will examine every aspect of our airline policy, our air policy, to ensure that in the future we do not continue to have these problems and that we have a viable industry that serves all Canadians.
Canadian Airline Industry October 2nd, 2001
Mr. Speaker, it is very important that the airlines be compensated for the losses resulting from the shutdown of their airspace after September 11.
As I already pointed out in the press conference, we are prepared to work on the industry's future, and on restructuring the industry. We will work with all companies and with all members of the House.
Canadian Airline Industry October 1st, 2001
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise tonight to address this very important issue.
I wish to deal with the impact of September 11 on the air transport industry from two perspectives: security and safety and the financial viability of the industry.
Obviously on September 11 a total review of safety and security measures was instituted and that is ongoing. Before planes returned to the sky after September 11 Transport Canada instituted tougher, more rigorous standards which were developed in consultation with the FAA.
It is important Canadians understand that we have instituted tougher security measures at airports, both for screening of passengers and employees but also on planes. It is also important to impart this information because the country needs to have people go back to the skies. We must encourage people to fly because flying is safe, especially with the new security measures.
Some of the measures have included: limited access to restricted areas at airports; security controls and screening checkpoints have been tightened; increased police presence at major airports; increased passenger screening; enhanced baggage security measures; measures to prohibit small knives and knife-like objects on board aircraft; the requirement for cockpit doors on all Canadian airline passenger flights, domestic and international, to be locked for the full duration of the flights; the purchase of advance explosive detection systems for a number of Canadian airports; and the active pursuit with the FAA, European authorities and others of security improvements to cockpits, including fortifying cockpit doors. We are in the process of implementing further enhancements to passenger screening and additional security measures with respect to cargo shipments.
My strategy since the tragic events have unfolded is to announce initiatives as they are ready to be implemented, not to stand and make some big speech for public consumption but to announce them either in question period as I did with cockpit doors, in scrums or in other venues, and be available in the House of Commons every day since parliament has opened to answer questions from hon. members on a daily basis.
There has been a lot made of the announcements of Mr. Bush. I do not take those announcements lightly. Except for the issue of federal marshals on board planes, Canada's new security measures mirror or complement initiatives taken in the U.S. In some cases the U.S. mirrors our own regulations.
While allowing armed sky marshals on flights is not a direction in which Transport Canada is actively going at the moment, we will carefully consider all practical means to improve security. A comprehensive sky marshal program would have serious practical and financial implications which would need to be considered in co-operation with other departments and agencies, including the RCMP.