Subjects: LEG, POL, CFG
The Canadian Transportation Agency launches in-person air passenger protection consultations
GATINEAU, QC, June 11, 2018 /CNW/ - Canadians can have their say on air passenger protection as the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) develops new regulations.
The CTA wants to hear directly from the public at in-person consultations being held across the country over the next three weeks. The CTA is holding the first session in Toronto on June 14, 2018, and will be visiting Vancouver (June 18), Calgary (June 20), Yellowknife (June 22), Winnipeg (June 25), Montreal (June 27), Halifax (June 29), and Ottawa (July 4) ? before ending with a call-in session (July 5).
The in-person and call-in sessions form part of the comprehensive consultation process that the CTA launched on May 28, 2018, just a few days after the amendments to the Canada Transportation Act took effect, giving the CTA the authority to make Air Passenger Protection Regulations.
The consultation process has started strong. So far, more than 4,500 Canadians have visited our website and more than 1,350 have completed our online questionnaire. The CTA wants to build on this momentum and hear from as many Canadians as possible.
The consultation process will continue until August 28, 2018. Once it concludes, all the input received will be considered and the new regulations will be drafted. The regulations will require approval from both the CTA and the Governor in Council to come into force.
Quote
"We know air travel issues are important to Canadians and they want to see new air passenger protection regulations in place as soon as possible. We also know that they want their say on the content of those regulations. Our three-month consultation process will achieve both goals: it gives individuals, consumer organizations, and airlines multiple channels for offering input, while being focused and facilitating timely development of the regulations. We're committed to ensuring that airlines' obligations to passengers are clear, transparent, fair, and consistent."
Scott Streiner, Chair and CEO of the Canadian Transportation Agency
Public attendance
Members of the public who wish to attend in person are encouraged to register on the consultation web site and provide a written synopsis of the topics they wish to discuss.
Anyone requiring accommodations for accessibility and communication support at the sessions, such as assistive listening devices and sign language interpretation, should indicate their requirements when registering, no later than 10 calendar days prior to the sessions.
Online session
Individuals wishing to participate but who cannot attend the public consultations in-person, can participate via an audio live session on July 5, 2018, starting at 1:00 p.m. EDT.
Media attendance
Media representatives may observe the in-person consultations. Seating will be provided on a first come, first served basis. Cameras will be allowed for the opening remarks only. Media questions will not be permitted during the consultation sessions.
For more information
Participate in the online consultation and visit the CTA's consultation page for more information.
Background
New provisions of the Canada Transportation Act, which were added by the recently-passed Transportation Modernization Act, mandate the CTA to develop regulations setting out airlines' obligations with respect to flight delays and cancellations, denied boarding (bumping), tarmac delays, damaged or lost baggage, seating of children with parents or guardians, the transportation of musical instruments, and communication with passengers. For most of these categories, the law states that the regulations should prescribe minimum standards of treatment. For several (flight delays or cancellations within the airline's control, denied boarding within the airline's control, and lost or damaged baggage), the law also provides for minimum levels of compensation.
SOURCE Canadian Transportation Agency
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