ALPA Canada Board Convenes, Advances Strategic Priorities

Members of ALPA’s Canada Board convened in Thunder Bay, Ont., on June 4-5 to take action on a number of agenda items and advance the Association’s strategic priorities. The meeting kicked off the prior evening with an informal meet-and-greet between the Canada Board and the president, director of Flight Operations, and chief pilot of Bearskin Airlines, which is headquartered in Thunder Bay. The Canada Board took the opportunity to show its ongoing support for the company and its employees since the Flight 311 accident in November 2013, and the management reps underscored that they see ALPA as a valuable partner in promoting the airline so that all stakeholders benefit. Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to further enhance their cooperative relationship.

During the two-day meeting, representatives from all nine Canadian ALPA pilot groups and the Canada Board officers (who together compose the Canada Board) discussed ALPA’s strategic priorities and initiatives related to the Board’s mission: “To work collectively as the leading advocate and representative for the Canadian professional pilot, with a focus on safety.”

To that end, Canada Board president Capt. Dan Adamus briefed the group on the status of updating flight- and duty-time regulations in Canada, securing jumpseat access for flight crews, and the Association’s ongoing efforts to effect changes to programs that enable carriers to hire foreign pilots. Capt. Brad Small, Canada Board vice president, described ALPA’s active participation in the IFALPA Conference and on Federation technical committees, the Global Pilots’ Symposium, and ALPA’s upcoming Air Safety Forum, and encouraged ALPA pilots to take part in these global forums.

Capt. Georges Dawood, Board secretary-treasurer, reported that the Board was on sound financial footing. He also gave an overview of ALPA’s affiliation with the Canadian Labour Congress, the Association’s Pilots for Pilots (P4P) program, and the Board of Insurance Trustees, emphasizing the importance of the Canada Board’s support for and promotion of these programs and affiliations.

After reviewing the Board’s strategic plan and agreeing to take it up in depth at their next meeting, Board members discussed a number of topics, including:

• Staffing of Canadian ALPA committees to ensure effective implementation of strategic initiatives;
• Internal and external organizing;
• Recommendations from the Special Committee for Canadian Finance, Structure and Services (SCCFSS), the make-up of the committee, and its work going forward;
• The Best Doctors consultative service, which the Board reaffirmed as an important benefit for ALPA members in Canada; and
• The concept of creating a Canadian Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations that would bring together Canadian pilot unions to work collectively to address issues of mutual concern.

The next meeting of the ALPA Canada Board is scheduled to be held in mid-November in Kelowna, B.C.