This is the umpteenth case of tax theft, dressed up and peddled in this House as democratisation.

That application is based on the fact that: first, the airport has already accommodated over 100 flights with 50 passengers; second, its infrastructure complies with the agency's requirements; third, the return of American carrier Continental Airlines has been confirmed, and two new carriers, namely American Airlines and Mexicana, may also begin to provide service there; fourth, tax revenues alone far exceed the costs generated by the agency, and; fifth, Quebec is lagging far behind Ontario, in terms of the number of airports that can accommodate aircraft with 50 passengers.

(13) In its decision to initiate the procedure, the Commission considered first of all that the granting by the Walloon Region of a reduction in airport taxes to one airline company only, on all its flights for a period of fifteen years, in a bilateral agreement that was given no publicity and deviates from the stipulations of the law, amounts to granting a tax exemption to a company.

24. Environmental goals, however, are not the only reason for seeking a more balanced treatment of air transport within the overall system of charges and taxes: as a consequence of decisions taken during the infancy of international civil aviation, international flights are exempted from taxes.

To reduce the tax burden and short haul, domestic and transporter air travel, the current $10 flat tax component will be reduced to $6 (1730 ) This measure addresses the concerns expressed in recent years by carriers providing short distance air transportation services to smaller communities that the tax places too heavy a burden on short distance travellers.

This is not a bill that affects shoplifters, tax evaders, drug dealers, vandals, or petty thieves.