Transport committee  That is right.

Transport committee  I think that even if remote regions can be accessed by road, they certainly need government support and subsidy programs like those. I'm going to reuse the example I just gave. In Rouyn‑Noranda, where I live and where our company is based, people have to drive six to eight hours to get to Montreal.

Transport committee  I think we need to look for other ways to help regions. We actually found a way to help them with our Edgard application. If I can have a few more minutes, I can tell you about it.

Transport committee  I'll do my best. We brought together 25 companies in the region, and they invested in a fund to charter their own planes. They took matters into their own hands to get the service they needed. Monday to Friday, there's a return flight to a major centre in the Montreal area. Yes, there are other options.

Transport committee  I have to watch what I say. Actually, it's still possible. The problem, however, is this: If the company chartering the flight sells seats to members of the public, it is on the hook for passenger compensation if the flight is cancelled. These big companies charter flights for their employees' travel needs.

Transport committee  No, not currently. Other carriers serve the Rouyn‑Noranda region, like Air Creebec, in Val d'Or. When it comes to Rouyn‑Noranda, the city, in Abitibi‑Témiscamingue, only Air Canada offers a daily return flight, in the middle of the day. It's the only carrier. That was the carrier I was referring to earlier.

Transport committee  Thank you for your question. The air passenger protection regulations wouldn't necessarily need to be changed, but exemptions would need to be added to the regulations. The reason we work solely with companies and their employees is to ensure that charterers, the ones that charter the flights, retain the benefit of the charter flight.

Transport committee  Good afternoon, everyone. Good afternoon, distinguished members of the committee. As vice‑president of operations and business development for Propair Inc. and Edgard Co‑Chartering Platform, I'm honoured to have the opportunity to appear before you as part of this meeting. Thank you for inviting me.