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The Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Transport, highlighted the importance of regular discussions with stakeholders in strengthening Canada’s aviation and tourism industry when she joined Wai Young, Member of Parliament for Vancouver South, at a roundtable held July 23 at Vancouver International Airport.
The roundtable provided a positive forum for discussion on both the economic opportunities offered by a vibrant Canadian air transport sector, and some of the challenges, such as cost competiveness.
The Minister shared with stakeholders her vision of an air sector that connects communities, supports Canada’s ability to attract visitors and travellers, and helps Canadian businesses to compete in global markets and attract new customers and investment.
“A strong and competitive air travel industry is essential for Canada’s economic prosperity and goes hand in hand with supporting tourism and facilitating trade,” said Raitt. “Regular dialogue with industry, provinces and territories, consumers, business and tourism associations is key to ensuring we have the right policies in place, and that Canada is globally competitive.”
Said Young, “Our government is committed to using trade to create jobs, prosperity and growth in B.C. and across the country. A strong and competitive air and tourism industry will enhance our ability to sell our goods in other markets and attract opportunities from growing trade in the Asia-Pacific region.”
In 2013, Canada announced a record 26 new or expanded air transport agreements. These agreements help to improve the competitiveness of Canada’s air industry, as well as the connections and services available to Canadians. They provide more flexibility to air carriers to offer new or expanded international air services and to Canadian airports to market themselves. They also help support Canada’s international trade and tourism.
Canadian airports receive over 122 million passengers a year. Over the past decade, overall passenger traffic to, from and within Canada has grown by 55 per cent, with growth in domestic traffic of 51 per cent, Canada-US traffic of 46 per cent and other international traffic of 88 per cent.
