Québec Air Transportation Policy
[...] "Air transportation is a key concern for Québec.
The industry is currently in a downswing marked by mergers, acquisitions,
and strategic alliances. For users, this has meant a noticeable
decline in the quality of service.
These difficulties have been aggravated by the federal government’s
gradual withdrawal from airport management, operation, and even
ownership in recent years, as well as by industry restructuring.
The
tragic events of September 11, 2001, followed, leading to significant
financial losses for airlines and even putting a number of national
carriers out of business.
In response, the Government of Québec and representatives
of air carriers, airport authorities, communities, and air transportation
users came together to examine how to get the industry off the
ground once again. The Québec Air Transportation Policy
grew out of this exercise. It puts forward concrete measures to
resolve current problems and address the unacceptable prospect
of a nation famous for its aeronautics expertise being unable
to offer its people appropriate air service.
We believe this policy has a bright future. The Government of
Québec has even made it a symbol of its commitment to support
a transportation mode essential to the development of its national
capital Québec City, its largest city Montréal,
and all of Québec’s regions."
Message from the Minister of Transport, Québec Air
Transportation Policy, p. I
[...] "This policy reminds us of the strategic role of air
transportation in the economic growth of all of Québec’s
regions at a time of market and trade globalization.
At the same time, it recognizes the inalienable right of residents
of remote and isolated regions to air services that enable them
to travel for medical, family, leisure, and other reasons. It
clearly affirms that air transportation is to remote regions what
public transit is to large cities—a virtually essential
service!
With the Québec Air Transportation Policy, the Government
of Québec has also signaled its new, more proactive form
of involvement. In recent years, it has been forced to promote
and defend Québec’s interests in the face of federal
withdrawal from the field.
But armed with the consensus that the Québec Air Transportation
Policy represents, the Government of Québec can now work
with partners in Québec’s air transportation and
related communities to lay a solid foundation for action.
The government has focused its efforts on such challenges as
developing efficient air services in Québec, ensuring a
viable and competitive air transportation system, and showcasing
Québec’s expertise and advantages in the realm of
air transportation. Other urgent issues, such as developing and
reinforcing Montréal and Québec City’s roles
as transborder and international connector hubs, as well as Québec’s
position in international civil aviation, are also at the heart
of the policy’s action plan.
Message from the Minister for Transport and Maritime Policy,
Québec Air Transportation Policy, p. II
