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e-3133 (Transportation)

E-petition
Initiated by Hazel Bishop from Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador

Original language of petition: English

Petition to the House of Commons

Whereas:
  • The COVID-19 pandemic and related travel restrictions have had a devastating impact on air service across Canada; and caused airlines to suspend routes and reduced capacity at airports all across the country;
  • The Gander International Airport located in Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador has no daily national air service after Air Canada suspended all passenger operations;
  • This loss of air service has catastrophic consequences to businesses, residents and families in Central Newfoundland;
  • Economic growth and quality of life are dependent on air service connectivity; and
  • Without immediate government support of this ailing sector, Central Newfoundland will continue to be disadvantaged, with a protracted wait for recovery.
We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada; electors of the electoral district of Coast of Bays-Central-Notre Dame; province of Newfoundland and Labrador; and residents of the town of Gander, call upon the Government of Canada to:
1) Provide meaningful financial assistance to Canada’s beleaguered airlines, contingent on re-establishing national air service to airports abandoned during the pandemic, including Gander International Airport; and
2) Ensure airline re-connectivity to mainland Canada due to the economic impact to the area served by Gander International Airport.

Response by the Minister of Transport

Signed by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable Omar Alghabra

The government is mindful of the devastating impacts of COVID-19 on the Canadian air sector and Transport Canada is committed in its efforts to support Canadians throughout the country, and that includes continuing to work with air sector partners to enable recovery of this crucially important sector. As first indicated in a statement by the Minister of Transport on November 8, 2020, the government committed to undertaking a process with major Canadian airlines regarding financial assistance, but any assistance would be contingent on securing important results for Canadians. This includes securing refunds for cancelled flights and ensuring that Canadians and regional communities retain air connections to the rest of Canada. This effort was reiterated in the 2020 Fall Economic Statement, which also included the announcement of a series of supports for airport operators and regional air transportation.

An agreement regarding financial assistance with Air Canada was announced on April 12, 2021, and it is a key milestone in ensuring the existence of a robust Canadian air transport sector that connects Canadian communities. As a result of this agreement, access to Air Canada’s network will be restored to all regional communities where service was suspended due to COVID-19, including Gander. Transport Canada’s engagement with other individual air carriers continues and we look forward to finalizing assistance details with similar requirements in the near future.

In March of 2021, WestJet announced their intentions to begin restoring service to Atlantic Canada. The Government anticipates that connectivity will increase as vaccination efforts progress resulting in a reduction of travel restrictions and more financial assistance negotiations with air carriers are finalized. The Government remains committed to ensuring that Canadians and regional communities retain air connections to the rest of Canada, as we recognize that regional connectivity is important to Canadians travelling now and in the future.

 

Open for signature
February 1, 2021, at 9:52 a.m. (EDT)
Closed for signature
March 3, 2021, at 9:52 a.m. (EDT)
Presented to the House of Commons
Scott Simms (Coast of Bays—Central—Notre Dame)
March 25, 2021 (Petition No. 432-00731)
Government response tabled
May 10, 2021
Photo - Scott Simms
Coast of Bays—Central—Notre Dame
Liberal Caucus
Newfoundland and Labrador