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Minutes of Proceedings

44th Parliament, 1st Session
Meeting 145
Friday, December 13, 2024, 1:00 p.m. to 3:12 p.m.
Televised
Presiding
Peter Schiefke, Chair (Liberal)

House of Commons
• Alexandre Roger, Procedural Clerk
 
Library of Parliament
• Geneviève Gosselin, Analyst
• Alexandre Lafrenière, Analyst
Air Canada
• Michael Rousseau, President and Chief Executive Officer
• Mark Galardo, Executive Vice-President, Revenue and Network Planning and President, Cargo
• David Rheault, Vice-President, Government and Community Relations
Air Passenger Rights
• Dr. Gábor Lukács, President
Porter Airlines Inc.
• Michael Deluce, Chief Executive Officer
Transat A.T. Inc.
• Annick Guérard, President and Chief Executive Officer
WestJet Airlines Ltd.
• Alexis von Hoensbroech, Chief Executive Officer
• Andrew Gibbons, Vice-President, External Affairs
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted by the committee on Thursday, December 5, 2024, the committee commenced its study of Air Canada's plan to impose carry-on baggage fees.

Alexis von Hoensbroech, Annick Guérard and Michael Deluce made statements and, with Andrew Gibbons, answered questions.

At 2:03 p.m., the meeting was suspended.

At 2:10 p.m., the meeting resumed.

Michael Rousseau and Gábor Lukács made statements and, with Mark Galardo and David Rheault, answered questions.

On motion of Philip Lawrence, ORDERED, — That the committee request to the following airline companies Air Canada, WestJet Airlines Ltd., Transat A.T. Inc. and Porter Airlines Inc., all the documents with respect to the revenue increase items from the removal of their basic fare as well as their impact on the pricing.

Questioning of the witnesses resumed.

Motion

Philip Lawrence moved, — That at the conclusion of the meetings on Air Canada's plan to impose cary-on baggage fees, the committee expand the study by an additional three meetings with a focus on how government policy has increased the cost of air travel and;

(a) Produce a final report for this study that includes proposed areas where these fees can be reduced with the intention of lowering costs Canadians pay for airfare.

(b) Report to the House its recommendation that the government undertake a review of all federal fees, taxes and charges applied to airlines and airports and that the review include proposed areas where these fees can be reduced with the intention of lowering costs Canadians pay for airfare within 30 days and that this clause of the motion be reported to the House at the earliest opportunity following the adoption of this motion.

Motion

Adam van Koeverden moved, — That the debate be now adjourned.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to on the following recorded division:

YEAS: Vance Badawey, Xavier Barsalou-Duval, Leila Dance, Angelo Iacono, Churence Rogers, Marc G. Serré, Adam van Koeverden — 7;

NAYS: Philip Lawrence, Leslyn Lewis, Dan Muys — 3.

Questioning of the witnesses resumed.

On motion of Xavier Barsalou-Duval, ORDERED, — That Air Canada inform the committee of the number of hours Michael Rousseau, Air Canada President and Chief Executive Officer, has spent learning French since 2021. The answer should be broken down by week, month, and year.

Questioning of the witnesses resumed.

At 3:12 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.



Carine Grand-Jean
Clerk of the committee