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June 8, 2016
UNANIMOUS SUPPORT IN MANITOBA LEGISLATURE FOR
MOTION OPPOSING BILL C-10, AN ACT TO AMEND THE AIR CANADA PUBLIC
PARTICIPATION ACT
Members of the Manitoba Legislative Assembly unanimously
passed a motion today reiterating opposition to Bill C-10, an act to
amend the Air Canada Public Participation Act, Deputy Premier Heather
Stefanson announced.
“Unanimous support of Manitoba’s MLAs sends a strong message
to our partners in the federal government that we expect them to ensure
that commitments made to our province in terms of investment and job
creation for Manitoba’s aerospace industry, are fulfilled,” said
Stefanson. “Manitoba’s interests are clear. Proposed changes
to the Air Canada Public Participation Act must provide a net benefit to
our province.”
In February 2016, the previous government wrote the federal
government requesting that amendments to the federal Air Canada public participation
act be limited to expanding the geographical scope of Air Canada’s
commitments within Manitoba. The proposed amendments go
significantly further than the geographical scope, she noted.
Premier Brian Pallister has also raised Manitoba’s concerns
regarding the impact of Bill C-10 on Manitoba’s aerospace industry
directly with the Prime Minister.
“Manitoba is home to a world class aerospace industry, the
largest in Western Canada, employing 5,400 people directly and even more
indirectly in related sectors,” said Growth, Enterprise and Trade
Minister Cliff Cullen. “There are significant implications to
moving forward with Bill C-10 without ensuring that it results in the
strengthening, not weakening, of Manitoba’s aerospace industry.”
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
AIR
CANADA PUBLIC PARTICIPATION ACT RESOLUTION
MOVED BY: Hon. Mrs. Stefanson
SECONDED BY: Hon. Cliff Cullen
WHEREAS Manitoba is home to a world class aerospace industry, the
largest in Western Canada, employing 5,400 people directly and many more
indirectly in related sectors; and
WHEREAS maintaining a competitive aerospace industry outside of
eastern Canada is in the national interest; and
WHEREAS federal amendments to the Air Canada Public Participation
Act virtually eliminate any obligation for Air Canada to maintain high
quality, skilled, heavy maintenance jobs in the province and is contrary
to the interests of Manitobans; and
WHEREAS the Federal Government has pushed through its amendments to
the Air Canada Public Participation Act without adequate consultation or
firm commitments to the Manitoba aerospace sector and despite clear
opposition from the Provincial Government, business and labour
organizations.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislative Assembly of
Manitoba oppose passage and proclamation of Bill C-10 and continue to do
so until such time as specific and binding commitments made by the
Federal Government and Air Canada are sufficient to reassure Manitobans
that changes to the Air Canada Public Participation Act, and related
accompanying investments in training, innovation and job creation, will
provide a net benefit to the Manitoba economy including, but not limited
to, permanent jobs in Manitoba supporting the overhaul and maintenance of
aircraft.
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