OTTAWA, July 6, 2018 – Makivik Corporation (Makivik) and the Inuvialuit Corporate Group (ICG) today announced they have signed an agreement in principle to merge First Air and Canadian North in order to provide the best possible essential air services across the Arctic. Makivik took this initiative to begin the discussion under the new direction of Charlie Watt, Sr.

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ATAC applauds Minister Garneau and Transport Canada on their actions today to prohibit laser attacks on aircraft. This latest announcement of the prohibition and the associated fines regarding lasers for those ignoring the Interim Order are strongly supported by ATAC and its members in the imperative need to protect aviation passengers and crew.

https://www.canada.ca/en/transport-canada/news/2018/06/government-of-canada-takes-action-to-protect-canadians-from-laser-attacks-on-aircraft.html

Ottawa, June 19, 2018. The Air Transport Association of Canada (ATAC) is asking Minister Garneau not to impose new regulations on aviation flight and duty time and better align Canada’s rules with those of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).  

The Minister refuses to consider the overwhelming opposition to his proposed rules. Industry has repeatedly cautioned the Minister that the proposed regulations, as published in Canada Gazette 1 last July, would have a detrimental impact on our industry and the services offered to Canadians. In addition to Canada’s aviation industry leaders’ call to reason, numerous colleagues from the government caucus have voiced serious concerns on the devastating impact these rules will have on service to remote and northern regions.

John McKenna, ATAC President and CEO, said “In addition, the timing could not be worse given the 30% increase these ill-conceived rules will have on the pilot shortage facing our industry. A different approach is required if the Minister is to reach his goal of increasing aviation safety in Canada because operators have clearly demonstrated that the proposed new rules would impair safety rather than increase it!”

Rather than insist on a one-size-fits-all approach on such an important issue, why not learn from the FAA and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and develop a sector by sector approach? To impose rules that are stricter than that in our partners is to threaten the very livelihood of many sectors of our industry and Canadians will be the first victims, especially those in remote and northern regions.

The answer to this impasse is to revisit the projected new rules and aim for greater alignment with the FAA model.

McKenna concluded “We are not asking the Minister to set aside his objectives of improved safety, International Civil Aviation Organization compliance, and alignment with other jurisdictions such as the FAA and EASA. On the contrary, we are offering to work with him to ensure that those objectives are met through regulations adapted to the Canadian context and industry structure. Government needs to consult rather than dictate such important changes to industry. Take the time required to implement a set of rules that Canadians can live by rather than threaten service to Canadians.”

For more information, contact:

John McKenna                                               

President and CEO

Air Transport Association of Canada

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 613-301-3969