Speaking notes for The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport Air Line Pilots Association reception Ottawa, Ontario

Speech

December 1, 2015

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Thank you for inviting me to join you.

As you all know, I have been Minister of Transport now for a little less than a month. So far, it’s been a great fit for me.

I trained as an engineer and my previous work, both in the Navy and with the space program, has exposed me to many aspects of transportation.

I have flown on the space shuttle – a craft that is pretty impressive. But Canada’s air transport sector is also pretty impressive, especially when you consider the complexity of our aviation system and the number of planes that arrive on time, every day.

As well, we have one of the best aviation safety records in the world. As air travel has increased in our airports, the number of aviation accidents has actually decreased.

Just last week, I met in Montreal with officials at the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), which I know receives input from ALPA.

As you may know, ICAO is working to help countries around the world meet the kind of safety and security record that Canada has achieved.

I will keep my comments short today, but let me close with this thought: skilled pilots play a vital part in making the aviation system safe and efficient.

And based on my own experience, I know that Canada has some of the best in the world.

I look forward to meeting with some of you in the future and thanks again for inviting me today.


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