Transport committee  Sir, I'm replacing Colonel Shelley. He had to go away on flight safety business.

Transport committee  For several years, a number of civilian companies have been involved in our flying operations. The situations vary greatly. In some circumstances, civilian organizations provide us with our aircraft. That is the case with Bombardier in Moose Jaw. These companies provide the aircr

Transport committee  Yes, within the Department of National Defence, the minister has the obligation to investigate all flight safety problems. The department has delegated that authority to my boss, the Director of Flight Safety, who is also responsible for investigations under the Technical Airwort

Transport committee  Yes. In English, these aircraft are called military conveyances. In French, this is identified in paragraph 10(1)(a). This paragraph defines what is considered a military aircraft and what is considered a civilian aircraft operated by National Defence. This is an aircraft under t

Transport committee  Yes, of course. At that point, we will use the expertise of Transport Canada and the civilian company. Given the proposed amendments to the legislation we will be able to use civilian experts, while protecting information. And we will be able to make recommendations when our repo

Transport committee  There shouldn't be more authority for Defence, because we have the same concept. Our accident investigation cannot be used for disciplinary or administrative reasons. All of the information we're gathering is de-identified and we're not putting any names in any of our reports. We

Transport committee  We will.

Transport committee  Basically, presently we're asking for more powers of investigation, which we don't have for civilian companies or civilian employees. The aim at the end of the day is still to make sure we have a very thorough investigation process.

Transport committee  If it's a matter of investigation, if it's a military airplane, we're probably going to be the lead. If it's a military airplane and it happens at a civilian facility, let's say at a civilian airport, because it's a military airplane, we will be the lead. The Transport Safety Boa

Transport committee  Well, sir, you're talking about C-17s, and I'm not sure that I would be able to answer that question. We could definitely ask our technical authority.

Transport committee  On our side, sir, we're going to be doing the same business, but we're now going to have better legislation to help us get the support of civilian personnel, so no increase on our side.

Transport committee  No, sir.

Transport committee  I am, sir. Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman, ladies and gentlemen. I am Lieutenant Colonel Jacques Laplante. I am the Chief Flight Safety Investigator at the Directorate of Flight Safety at National Defence and I thank you for allowing to make some introductory remarks to this comm