Addressing Canada’s Aviation Challenges

A Response from the Honourable Marc Garneau, Canadian Minister of Transport

Canadians are set to vote in their federal election on October 21. As Canada has the third largest aerospace sector in the world, generating $29.8 billion in annual revenues and supports 211,000 direct and indirect jobs, it’s important to know how the country’s elected leaders will address Canada’s aviation challenges.

The following is Canadian Minister of Transport Marc Garneau’s response to the question: What are your party’s top three aviation-related priorities?

Canada’s air transportation system is one of the safest in the world and ranks high among passenger satisfaction, performance, and innovation.

I know the last few months have been difficult for passengers and airlines, following the tragic accidents in Indonesia and Ethiopia. It has been most difficult for the families and friends affected by this tragic loss of life. My heart continues to go out to those families and friends, and I remain committed to upholding Canada’s rigorous safety standards.

Despite our significant progress over the last four years, the aerospace industry faces challenges: the security screening time at airports; a shortage of aerospace workers, particularly for underrepresented groups like women and indigenous people; and the need for increased competition to offer better choices for Canadians.

As Transport minister, I have made it a priority to address these challenges head on. When our transportation system is reliable and delivers what passengers need, our businesses and communities grow stronger.

We recently introduced legislation long asked for by the airline industry to turn the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority into an independent, nonshare, not-for-profit entity. Our government also provided funding for new screeners and to establish the 85/15 screening standard—which calls for 85 percent of all passengers waiting 15 minutes or less to be screened at Class I airports—all to help reduce wait times for Canadians. Transport Canada will continue to regulate, provide oversight, and emphasize safety and security. The new screening authority will be able to innovate, increase revenue, and deliver better services so that Canadians get where they need to go faster, safely, and more efficiently.

The pilot shortage is a challenge faced by the industry around the world. Our government sees it as an opportunity to bring in groups historically left out of aviation. By supporting indigenous-led solutions to Canada’s northern and remote aerospace worker shortage, we will help create long-term, well-paying jobs in these communities.

We began by speaking to these communities. I sat down with experts like Dr. Suzanne Kearns, Capt. Judy Cameron, Robin Hadfield of the Ninety-Nines, Kendra Kincade of Elevate Aviation, the First Nations Technical Institute, and many more to try and understand the root cause of the lack of representation. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, but I know collaboration with leaders on the ground is part of it. Our government will continue to develop a strategy to find a solution with our partners.

Families are also looking to solutions for the often-inaccessible cost of flying. The $2 billion National Trade Corridors Fund allows us to invest in the air sector across Canada, including the north, lowering the cost of travel. I introduced the Transportation Modernization Act, which increases international investment limits on domestic air carriers while maintaining safeguards to protect our industry. I also established a new framework for joint venture reviews and have supported airports that prioritize the ultra-low-cost carrier market. Air carriers are now better positioned to offer improved and more affordable services to Canadians.

Our government has been working hard in the past four years and will continue to do so in order to bring in innovative policies that are based on fact, science, and ongoing collaboration with our partners. As Canada’s minister of Transport, I believe security and a positive experience for Canadian travellers must and can go hand in hand.

Minister Garneau is a member of the Liberal party of Canada. ALPA also requested submissions from the Conservative party of Canada and the New Democratic party. Unfortunately, at press time no other responses were received. Future submissions will be published in upcoming issues of Air Line Pilot.

This article was originally published in the June 2019 issue of Air Line Pilot.

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