News
Bloc and NDP respond to the CAC party position questionnaire on aviation

Oct. 10, 2008, Ottawa – The Bloc and NDP are the first political parties to respond, to date, to the party position questionnaire issued to each party with seats in the House of Commons the week of Sept. 7, 2008 . 

Highlights of the responses include:

Bloc Québécois:

• Supports for the lowering of airport rent
• Interest in the formation of a Secretary of State for aviation
• Supports the conclusion of a Canada-European Union Open Skies agreement
• Supports for airport representation at international air service talks between Canada  and other nations
• Commits to a reduction of 50% in the excise tax on aviation fuel

NDP:

• Believes that "greater fairness" is needed on the issue of airport rent fees and "is open to discussing the matter further"
• Would review the status of EU-Canada air talks before proceeding on work to conclude  an Open Skies agreement
• Would not negotiate increased liberalization of international air service agreements
• Commits to "protect and enhance airports positions."
• Commits to ensure that Canada Border Services Agency is properly staffed today, and in the future
• Open to exploring an expansion of funding for smaller/remote airports

We have not yet heard from the other political parties but hope to do so before the election next Tuesday.  We will distribute other responses and post them on the CAC Web site as they come in.

Please note that the CAC does not endorse any particular party, but rather conducts this exercise for the information of CAC members and other members of the public interested in issues of importance to airports.