THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATIONS
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
OTTAWA, Tuesday, September 22, 2026
(39)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications met this day at 9 a.m., in room B45, Senate of Canada Building, the chair, the Honourable David M. Wells, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Arnold, Aucoin, Cormier, Miville-Dechêne, Mohamed, Quinn, Simons and Wells (Newfoundland and Labrador) (8).
Participating in the meeting: Geneviève Gosselin and Marion Ménard, Analysts, Library of Parliament.
The chair paid tribute to the late Senator Lewis.
The chair informed the committee of a vacancy in the deputy chair and presided over the election of a deputy chair.
The Honourable Senator Cormier moved that the Honourable Senator Simons, become the deputy chair of the subcommittee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, the committee began its consideration of the subject matter of those elements contained in Division 17 of Part 4 of Bill C-31, A second Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on November 4, 2025.
WITNESSES:
Transport Canada:
Jennifer Little, Director General, Air Policy;
Vincent Millette, Director, National Air Services Policy.
National Airlines Council of Canada:
Jeff Morrison, President and Chief Executive Officer.
Air Transport Association of Canada:
Julie Mailhot, President and Chief Executive Officer.
Canadian Airports Council:
Geoff Turner, Vice-President, Government Relations.
As individuals:
Paul Daly, Chair in Administrative Law and Governance, University of Ottawa.
John Gradek, Faculty Lecturer, Supply Chain, and Aviation Management, McGill University (by videoconference).
Vincent Correia, Professor of Law and co-director, Institute of Air and Space Law, McGill University.
Jennifer Little made a statement and, together with Vincent Millette, answered questions.
At 9:45 a.m., the committee suspended.
At 9:49 a.m., the committee resumed.
Jeff Morrison, Julie Mailhot and Geoff Turner each made a statement and answered questions.
At 10:19 a.m., the committee suspended.
At 10:21 a.m., the committee resumed.
Paul Daly, John Gradek and Vincent Correia each made a statement and answered questions.
At 10:58 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Andrea Mugny
Clerk of the Committee