Every year millions of people travel to and from Canada for vacation, business, family visits, continuing education, and much more.

International travel, however, can pose potential risks to Canada’s farm animal population and the economy through the introduction of foreign animal diseases, such as African swine fever (ASF). Without knowing it, travellers can unwittingly bring back viruses and other pathogens.

While foreign animal diseases such as ASF may not pose a risk to human health, introduction of the disease can have devastating impacts on the Canadian pork industry, and in turn the Canadian economy.

It’s crucial to prevent the introduction of ASF to Canada, and travellers play a crucial role in helping to protect our borders. If you are involved in international travel, be aware that people should:

• Declare all animal and food products at the border;
• Declare if you have visited a farm or come into contact with wild animals while travelling;
• Take additional precautions when visiting farms while travelling to and from countries currently affected with ASF;
• Wash or dispose of all your clothing and footwear worn during a visit to a farm or if you came into contact with wild animals on your trip before coming to Canada.

Failure to declare food products can lead to fines of up to $1300.

The Government of Canada is committed to protecting the health and safety of Canadian farm animals and reducing the risks of foreign animal diseases from entering Canada. Everyone, including travellers, has a role to play in helping reduce these risks. To find out more on ASF and how you can help protect Canada’s swine population, please go to the CFIA’s ASF website.

Follow the link to have access to communications documents aimed at raising awareness of African swine fever (ASF), for travellers who may be travelling to ASF-infected countries and unknowingly bringing back dangerous products to Canada.

The ATAC Board and staff are deeply saddened by the passing of Amy Foy on December 26 after a lengthy battle with cancer.

Still grieving over the passing of Wayne Foy barely a couple of months ago, the aviation community is greatly appreciative of Amy and Wayne Foy’s enormous contribution to the Webster Memorial Competition, instilling passion and promoting excellence in aviation amongst youth in Canada.

ATAC has always been very proud to support Amy and Wayne’s devoted work for the Webster Competition and in their honor will continue to endorse this important competition.

They will be sadly missed.

ATAC offers its deepest condolences to the Foy family and to the Webster team.

A memorial service will be held in Ottawa in the near future. We will post the details as soon as they are made available to us.

On Dec 4, 2018, ATAC appeared before the House of Commons’ Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure, and Communities to discuss the challenges faced by flight schools in Canada. We delivered the message that support for students and support for flight schools is critical as we continue to face a shortage of labour in the aviation workforce. First and foremost, we ask for assistance in providing funding to student pilots. We also ask that government support flight schools with the capital purchases they need to increase their capacity to train new pilots. The committee seemed receptive to these recommendations and we look forward to working with government to make them a reality in the new year.

Click here for ATAC's presentation.
Click here for MP Steven Fuhr's speech at the House of Commons