New Democrat transport critic calls for review of Canada’s aviation safety regime
Wed 02 Dec 2009
OTTAWA – Transport Canada needs to review its entire Aviation Safety program following revelations by safety inspectors and mechanics testifying before the House of Commons Transport Committee, said New Democrat Transport Critic Dennis Bevington (Western Arctic).
“We heard how inspectors are spending all of their time doing paperwork rather than actually making sure aircraft are safe and we heard that the pilots who the aircrafts are not always qualified,” said Bevington. “The change to safety management systems has resulted in Transport Canada not being aware of serious safety violations.”
A Safety Management System (SMS) approach has the airlines developing their own programs to deal with safety problems. Transport Canada began the move to SMS in 1999. The system is recommended by the International Civil Aviation Organization but only with continuation of regular safety inspections and enforcement.
Currently SMS is in place for large airlines. In an email sent on November 13, 2009, Martin Eley, Transport Canada’s Director General of Civil Aviation, wrote that there are “common concerns” with SMS. Eley goes on to say that implementation of SMS for air taxi and commuter operations will be delayed until January 2011.
“This delay shows Transport Canada is aware of problems with the system, what I don’t understand is why they think it can continue to work for large airlines,” said Bevington. “If it isn’t protecting Canadians on small airlines how can it protect Canadians when they fly on the large airlines which carry the vast majority of passengers?”
In responding to a Bevington’s question in the House of Commons on December 1, Transport Minister John Baird said he sees aviation safety as the government’s concern.
“I’m glad the Minister agrees that the role of Transport Canada is to ensure public safety,” said Bevington. “That is why he should order a review of the safety regime and fix the system immediately.”
Related Content
Type: Story
Transport minister’s campaign of sabotage revealed
Type: Story
Maloway in Washington: Defending airline passenger rights
Type: Story
New Democrat transport critic demands federal aviation safety practices must be investigated
