Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to begin by giving an overview of the evaluation of ERS services at Iqaluit Airport. Mr. Speaker, I have continually sought commitments from this government that, at the very least, this government commit to providing proper training to
the volunteer fire department in Iqaluit, to fight and respond to airport incidents and the fire department be provided with the proper equipment for these responses. Our study concludes the findings of the Avery Cooper report which may not be entirely accurate or complete for the following reasons.
Reaction of Airline Users:
The reality is air carriers may indeed have a problem with the removal of the current style of ERS, depending upon the nature and operability of alternate fire/safety arrangements made available in the future.
Airline representatives indicate that a significant change in the status of ERS services are worrisome because they will likely be a lessening in quality or speed of response -- amounting to an effective reduction in safety. Definitive statements from airline management on the evolving safety situation at Iqaluit, however, will be contingent upon complete knowledge of the specifics of alternative arrangements that might be made to cover the ERS function.
Reaction of the Military:
The military, on the other hand, consider Category 5 ERS protection available at Iqaluit as their current preferred minimum threshold for CF-18 training purposes. At FOL locations where this is not provided on an ongoing basis, they have had three options in the past: Fly in their own Category 5 foam-truck-tanker and crews prior to exercises, such as in Rankin Inlet, work with a former armed forces-owned pre-positioned truck on a co-operative basis with the local civilian airport authority, like they are doing in Inuvik, or make the decision to operate without fire ERS protection. That is only within the authority of the Winnipeg Command structure.
Later today, Mr. Speaker, I will be tabling the report from the consultant that I hired out of my constituency budget to overview and review the Avery Cooper report. I will also be asking questions to the appropriate Ministers in this House, including Mr. Todd and some of his colleagues, on providing the safety training and also the equipment. My point, Mr. Speaker, is that there is no way you can expect the department to react to instances at the airport if they do not have the proper equipment or the training. They cannot fight a fire with a water bottle. You need a foam truck at the airport. I think this is an area of safety and concern and this government has to look at it and it is necessary. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
-- Applause