Transport committee  Immigration policies these days are really hurting us. We have members that have hired TAEs and have to return them back home, because the terms under which they came here are now being revoked. They've formed these people. They've trained them, and they're perfectly well trained, but they have to go back home.

Transport committee  The explanation for the situation is that we are competing for those talents with all the other sectors of the industry. After getting their college diploma, people accept job offers from companies that operate in other sectors of the industry because they offer more attractive terms and are a better fit with their lifestyle.

Transport committee  The solution is for governments to make their contribution. To date, the air transportation industry has been a cash cow for the government, in that it pays it a huge amount of money, whether in rent at airports or in other ways. In spite of that, there is no reinvestment in our sector.

Transport committee  Adding to what my colleagues said, I would say it's a lack of infrastructure. That is really needed. That is what I want to add to these comments.

Transport committee  Thank you. That is an important question. The shortage of pilots and aircraft maintenance engineers dates from before the pandemic. It was already a major problem. The pandemic had the effect of moving people out of our sector; they went to sectors that recovered faster from the pandemic.

Transport committee  Thank you. Briefly, yes, government policies in general are really, as I mentioned, hindering the competitiveness, and most affected by these are the northern and regional people, because of the service that we try to provide in those regions. Yes, in the last few years we've had a number of policies, be it flight and duty times, be it APPR....

Transport committee  The cost from the APPR would escalate significantly if the proposed rules being discussed now come into effect. That cost and the cost recovery they're proposing would drive those markets to be not profitable at all. Actually, when the compensation is so high, there's a decision to just cancel the flight way out, rather than have it be late or unable to render services on time.

Transport committee  Good morning. This year, the Air Transport Association of Canada is celebrating 90 years of representing this country's commercial air transport industry. Our 175 members are engaged at all levels of commercial aviation and flight training in every region of Canada. Our membership ranges from very large domestic, transborder and international carriers to regional carriers, flight training organizations and the Canadian air transport support industry.

Transport committee  Actually, I always prefer to hear from carriers. So I'd love to hear what they have to say about it.

Transport committee  I also have three things. The first is to make sure that regulations reflect the reality that we live in, which is not the case right now. Second, in the last 10 years, demand for our services has grown by about 5% a year, but Transport Canada's safety budget has been consistently cut.

Transport committee  As was mentioned with the visa applications, it's good to change a policy to allow immigration. Then again, the administration of that policy is something altogether different. You have a huge backlog of people waiting for processing, and it's not happening. Policy is great, but you have to be able to do it.

Transport committee  They've updated their regulations to make them more current and with modern technology.

Transport committee  Visa applications, rate card applications, timed certificate applications, medical approvals, licence renewals, professional exams, pilot proficiency tests, aircraft certification—all this stuff is taking three or four times longer than it ever has, and we don't understand why.

Transport committee  Could I add something to that, sir? It takes four years to train an AME in Canada. That's the training requirement by Transport Canada. That's twice as long as any other jurisdiction. Why is that? It's that the regulation has not been amended since the 1990s, and they are not taking into consideration new teaching technologies, the new teaching environment and the operating environment.

Transport committee  It is better in that we have done away with COVID measures. To comment also on what my colleague, Mr. Morrison, was saying, the wage subsidy helped, but it doesn't keep an airline flying if there are no passengers. It just kept the lights on for many companies. What's better now is that there is a growth in demand, so there's a growth in service.