QUESTION PERIOD — Finance
NAV CANADA
December 15, 2020
Honourable senators, my question is to the Government Representative in the Senate.
Last week, the National Finance Committee tabled its second report, and I draw your attention to this point on page 26 of our report:
With respect to the potential closure of air traffic control towers in several regional airports, officials said that they are aware of the planning that NAV CANADA is looking at in terms of cost reductions.
Senator Simons questioned you last week. We recently received a less-than-satisfactory briefing from NAV CANADA. They assured us, as Transport Canada did in committee, that any actions will not compromise the safety of air travel. Canadian taxpayers, of course, expect no less.
Senator Gold, the aviation sector is an essential element in the Yukon, from bush flying to international passenger flights. The Yukon tourism industry, in their own words, owes much of its success to accessibility provided by Yukon’s airline, Air North, an airline owned by Yukoners and Yukon First Nations, and the direct flights from Europe — Frankfurt, Germany — to Whitehorse and Anchorage, Alaska, provided by Condor Airlines for many years. Condor has stated they will not offer their flights to the Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport if there are no NAV CANADA services.
Cuts to regional airports by NAV CANADA are a mental health issue, an economic issue and a safety issue for Canadians. Yukoners and Canadians who have been dealing with the insecurity of the pandemic — job losses in almost every sector of the economy, particularly in the airline and tourism industry — deserve our attention and a fair response.
Will the Government Representative commit to drawing this matter to the attention of the Minister of Transport and the Minister of Finance? Will the Government Representative ask these ministers to reassure Canadians that NAV CANADA will be instructed to cease and desist with this threat of cuts to regional airports?
Senator, thank you for raising this important health and safety issue, as you most properly underline. I can certainly commit to raising this with both ministers. As to their response, I will leave it to the ministers to do so. I’m confident that it will be appropriate and timely.
Thank you, Senator Gold. Allow me to follow up on the international aspect of the airport in Whitehorse. It’s not the only international airport under consideration by NAV CANADA for service cuts.
We all remember Canadian airports hosting unscheduled international flights on September 11, 2001. Gander, Yellowknife and Whitehorse all have something in common. I think I was the only premier that got a call from the Governor of Alaska saying, “Hey neighbour, thanks for hosting that Korean jetliner we wouldn’t allow to land.”
These national and international airports are known throughout the world as safe, clean, modern and welcoming spaces. Their staff-controlled towers serve and watch over who is in our airspace. I acknowledge that air travel has declined; every Canadian looks forward to it coming back.
Will the Government Representative undertake to make every effort to ensure the government grounds the planned cuts by NAV CANADA and that Canadian international and regional airports remain well staffed and continue to provide, dare I say, a high, stellar service to Canadian and international passengers and air carriers?
Thank you. I will certainly use my very best efforts to bring this important issue to the attention of the government, the responsible ministers and department officials.
