QUESTION PERIOD — Finance
NAV CANADA
December 10, 2020
My question is for the Government Representative. NAV CANADA, the private monopoly that’s responsible for Canada’s air traffic control system is facing catastrophic financial shortfalls due to the impact of COVID-19 on its usual revenues. As a result, NAV CANADA is now carrying out service reviews at six Canadian airports, Windsor, Sault Ste. Marie, Regina, Fort McMurray, Prince George and Whitehorse, which could lead to the closure of air traffic control towers at some or all of those airports. With the understanding that NAV CANADA is a private company, can you tell us what steps your government is taking to ensure the safety and sustainability of the Whitehorse, Prince George, Fort McMurray, Regina, Sault Ste. Marie and Windsor airports?
Thank you for your question and for raising the challenging and disturbing circumstances that the airports and airline industries generally face. As the Minister of Finance has stated on a number of occasions, the government is considering more targeted and specific measures to assist certain sectors of the economy. I expect that the details of those plans, which are being developed along with stakeholders and all interested parties, will be released when they are done.
This question is also for the Government Representative. Given NAV CANADA’s revenue crisis, what steps is the government taking to ensure the sustainability of NAV CANADA and, in turn, the safety and sovereignty of Canadian airspace?
This government has taken many steps with regard to securing the sovereignty of our airspace, including its partnership with others, like NORAD, and other initiatives. With regard to your question, I repeat, the government is considering specific and more targeted measures to deal with sectors of our economy that are especially hard hit and, in consultation with all stakeholders, will be developing its plans. When the plans are ready, they will be announced.
