Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.

I'd like to sincerely thank the committee for inviting me to testify on this very important subject.

Since the end of January 2024, I've been the executive director of the Northern Air Transport Association of Canada, better known by the acronym NATA. I'd like to make it clear that I'm not an expert on the Competition Act nor am I an employee of any of our carriers. I serve our association. Indeed, several of our members will be testifying here—some have already done so—in the context of this study. You'll undoubtedly have the opportunity to hear the details and the realities they face.

The Northern Air Transport Association, or NATA, was formed 47 years ago to support the economic development of northern and remote Canada with safe and sustainable air transportation.

Northern air carriers are not the largest in Canada, but they provide an essential service to the largest proportion of Canada's landmass and to many communities that have no road access and/or are not served by mainline carriers.

NATA's mission is to represent northern and remote air carriers in the decision-making process affecting transportation in northern and remote regions of Canada. Our goals as an association are to promote a safe and effective northern and remote air transportation system, to advocate for northern and remote air transport positions, and to establish and maintain partnerships with industry, governments and other interested parties.

Our main objectives are twofold: to develop and cause to be adopted positions that increase the safety of northern air transportation and reflect the unique operating environment, and to develop and cause to be adopted positions that improve the economics, quality and delivery of northern air transportation, considering this particular environment.

NATA is a network of 81 members, comprising 33 carriers who are supported in their mission by 48 other members. Our 33 carriers own a total of over 650 aircraft, which is more than the combined number of aircraft owned by Air Canada, Jazz, WestJet and Porter.

I referred to NATA's mission and goals earlier, because it's essential to mention that our mission and goals are the common thread connecting all our members, whomever they may be. All of these are vital to the communities served by our members.

I'd also like to take a moment to mention that our 33 carriers hold a mix of operator certificates, including 13 air transport, 15 commuter and 29 air taxi, enabling them to meet a wide range of community needs.

Our members offer a wide range of services which, for many, would be considered essential. They form a network. It's an essential system which in itself is more than the sum of its parts.

When a bigger carrier goes into a hard-surfaced airport, connects with a smaller carrier's aircraft that ends up on a gravel runway or with a float-plane that lands on a lake, all these connecting points by same-minded members are essential for the citizens and end-users, either for medical reasons, for commodities or for other essential necessities.

While our members serve northern and remote communities with a mission of essential service, for them and their customers, they're subject to the same regulations and limitations as other carriers in the country. What's more, they face challenges not seen in the south, such as more complex access to maintenance, deficient weather services, the complexity of refuelling at some locations, runways in a state of disrepair or out-of-the-ordinary weather phenomena due to climate change.

A lot of money needs to be injected into the north, as the infrastructure is in dire need of modernization or revitalization. The user-pay system will not suffice for that, nor will any program not specifically aimed toward those needs.

Aviation is not a luxury: It's a necessity for thousands of Canadian citizens across vast swaths of provinces and territories. It's an essential mode of transportation that should be considered as such, especially in the regions we serve. When dozens of communities can only be reached by air, those vital services are their lifeline to the world, and it's everyone's duty to keep it and sustain it.

Merci. Thank you.