(Translator) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I acknowledge the transportation benefits we can access with First Air and I am very proud that this is an Inuit owned airline serving the Baffin region, however, this company has become too corporate minded as it is the only airline serving the particular region - the area in the road between the communities of Hall Beach, Pond Inlet and Igloolik. Perhaps if there was much needed competition in the airline industry at this time, services could be improved.
The rates have also become too high.
Perhaps a service that involves passengers only could be introduced in our region. Too often passengers are getting bumped off because of lack of seats for these three communities of Amittuq. Currently this airline has direct route between the traditionally close communities of Igloolik, Hall Beach and Pond Inlet. As a further inconvenience to get back and forth between these two communities, each trip includes a stop over Iqaluit both ways.
As I mentioned, these communities are traditionally linked and relatives are spread out in each settlement. In the event of death, families have to put together their own money, which is costly enough without the exuberation of Iqaluit stop over being included in the high rates of air travel. It is important that families have easier access to transportation that enables them to visit one another. I would encourage some healthy competition and services from Air Baffin and First Air in the Baffin to try new, direct flights from my region.
I would like to state between the routes of Hall Beach and Igloolik, there is a one hour stop over, and if I were to go to Pond Inlet returning to Igloolik, I would have to sleep over night in Iqaluit and travel to Pond Inlet the next day. This is what I wanted to indicate to the House. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.