Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Just one more sentence, Mr. Chair.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  The northernmost 10,000 ft. runway is in Val-d'Or. When this all started, INAC's logic was always to go to the end of the road. We have two bases, one in Val-d'Or and one in La Grande Rivière, which really is at the end of the road. The runway there is 6,500 feet long. Another point to consider is the distance between Val-d'Or and La Grande Rivière.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  The runway is 10,000 feet long. So any carrier can land at Val-d'Or. The runway is very well maintained. No other is farther north. Given the shorter distance, shipping food between Iqaluit and Kuujjuaq costs less. But no company has wanted to have an aircraft permanently based at Val-d'Or, as they do in Yellowknife or La Grande Rivière.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  It is hard for me to tell you whether it is going to be less expensive, but I do know that, unfortunately, northerners are going to lose out in three ways. If I may, I will explain how. Perishables will deteriorate in quality and freshness because the air carrier will no longer be under any obligation to have storage facilities.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Yes, and they will play with the price the way they want.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Yes, Madam, because they will have.... Parce que--

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I will reply in French. You are asking if consumers are going to get the subsidy. I have to say that I seriously doubt it. I believe that it will allow the largest retailers to negotiate better rates with the air carriers. Above all, they could obtain exclusive delivery days for shipping their goods.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  It will not be possible for them to negotiate with air carriers and they will not have the same clout as the large retailers. In my opinion, the large retailers will get the best days. I have been in this business for 17 years and I can tell you that delivery days are really important in getting quality products in the north.