Omar Alghabra

[Airline Industry, February 2nd, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, as I stated earlier, no U.S. carrier can carry a Canadian to a sun destination directly without stopping in the U.S. I also stated earlier that the Biden administration had implemented new measures on all travellers. I ask my colleagues to join me in calling on all Canadians to postpone non-essential travel.

I also want to take a moment to thank the airlines for voluntarily agreeing to help prevent the spread of COVID. Our government is currently working on a support package to help airline carriers and their workers.

[Airline Industry, February 2nd, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member knows that a U.S. carrier cannot transport Canadians to a sun destination without first stopping in the U.S. She probably also knows that the Biden administration has already implemented new measures on all travellers coming to the U.S. By the way, there are additional measures we are working on coordinating with the U.S.

I ask my hon. colleague to join me in calling on all Canadians to suspend or postpone non-essential travel.

[Airline Industry, February 2nd, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, our domestic airlines carry the vast majority of Canadians travelling to sun destinations on vacation. However, we are aware that some foreign carriers also operate between Canada and sun destinations. The government is working with foreign airlines on this issue.

For example, Aeroméxico already announced it was suspending flights between Canada and Mexico.

[Air Transportation, February 1st, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague for his strong advocacy for his region and for this matter. We know how regional airports are important for workers and communities in Cape Breton and across the country.

The air sector has been hit hard by the pandemic and that is why the government will invest more than $1.1 billion to support key players, such as airport authorities and regional airlines. Discussions with major airlines on support for the sector are ongoing right now and we will prioritize the reinstallation of regional routes that connect our communities, such as Sydney.

[Health, February 1st, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, I am surprised that my colleague is calling some of the strictest rules in the world “half measures”.

Let me remind my colleague that as of March of last year, we have asked all Canadians to cancel non-essential flights. We banned foreigners, we implemented a 14-day quarantine, and earlier this year we added a pre-boarding test that is necessary prior to anybody arriving in Canada. Last week, we announced further layers to restrict discretionary travel.

These are important measures that are protecting the health and safety of Canadians.

[Health, February 1st, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, as I stated earlier, Canada today has one of the strictest rules in the world for discretionary travel. A year ago we called on all Canadians to avoid non-essential travel. We implemented new measures earlier in the year to ensure that all travellers were tested prior to boarding the plane. Now we are implementing new measures. We still do not have information about the effect of the vaccine on transmissibility, therefore all Canadians will be subjected to these measures.

[Health, February 1st, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, as I stated earlier, our current rules are among the strictest in the world. We have been calling on all Canadians to avoid non-essential travel. We have reached an agreement with the airlines to suspend all flights that are heading toward the most popular vacation destinations. We now have, on top of the measures we implemented earlier in the year, new measures that will require all arrivals to be tested and to be quarantined at a designated facility.

The health of Canadians is our priority and we will do whatever it takes to protect Canadians.

[Health, February 1st, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, since March of 2020, we have been asking Canadians to not travel during the pandemic. Last week, we announced additional rules on international travel. These are now among the strictest in the world.

We have reached an agreement with airlines to suspend all flights to Mexico and the Caribbean until April 30. Additionally, all travellers will soon have to book three nights at a public health-approved quarantine facility upon their return and get tested upon arrival.

The health of Canadians will always come first.

[Transportation, January 28th, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member is right that the inner-city passenger bus service industry has been hit very hard by the pandemic.

As the member mentioned, our government has provided a lot of financial support for businesses that have been impacted by COVID. The member knows that the inner-city bus service is regulated by the province. I also acknowledge that it is important to our cities and provinces; therefore, we will continue to monitor the situation. I am happy to work with the member on ideas we can work together on.

[Air Transportation, January 28th, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, let me assure the hon. member that I have discussed this matter also with my colleague, the parliamentary secretary, who is from Windsor. Let me repeat that the safety and security of the travelling public is our government's top priority.

As I have said earlier, Nav Canada is undertaking several studies to assess the level of service needs, particularly during the pandemic when there is a lot less traffic. It is important to note that any changes to the level of service proposed will not compromise on safety and will be done in consultation with the stakeholders. Eventually, Transport Canada will assess whatever decision Nav Canada—