November 24, 2020

Today, Brian Masse MP (Windsor West) questioned the Transport Minister, Marc Garneau, in the House of Commons Question Period on the tower study at the Windsor International Airport.  He asked:

The Speaker: The honourable member for Windsor West.

Brian Masse (NDP): Mr. Speaker, the airport in Windsor has become a success story after 20 years of investment by the municipality. But now the privatized nav Canada is threatening the public achievement and safety record by putting Windsor in a study to remove the air traffic controlled tower making it an uncontrolled airport. This is create significant problems to cargo planes due to air space that have five airports in the area, include, public, private, U.S. National Guard and U.S. Coast guard. Will the minister of transport stop this nonsense that is threatening jobs, business, investments in public safety.

The Speaker: The honourable minister.

Marc Garneau (LPC): Mr. Speaker, let me be very clear that there will never be compromise with respect to the safety of air passengers. As we know, the number of passengers has dramatically reduced by about 90%, and that includes many less aircraft in the air at the moment. Nav can, which is our air traffic controller is examining that situation. It has an able safety records, and Canada will work with nav can to make sure safety remains uppermost for all Canadians.