Evidence of meeting #98 for Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was air.
A video is available from Parliament.
NDP
NDP
Bonita Zarrillo NDP Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC
Have you ever been forced to get on your hands and knees to deplane?
NDP
Bonita Zarrillo NDP Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC
This is the reality of people with disabilities who have shared some of their stories with me.
When you and your executive team consider savings and profits by balancing what is regulated and what you are willing to give in goodwill—and I quote that from your conference calls—in which category do you put human rights for persons with disabilities?
President and Chief Executive Officer, Air Canada
Human rights are critical, and the whole purpose of our accessibility plan.... In fact, one of Air Canada's core values is respect of its customers. That's all customers—customers with disabilities and customers without disabilities.
We carry many, many customers every year. I mentioned over 500,000 customers with disabilities—
NDP
Bonita Zarrillo NDP Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC
I'm sorry, Mr. Rousseau. My question is this: Do you feel that is regulated, or is that goodwill? I ask this question because.... Is there a federal regulation that holds you to human rights, or is this goodwill that you're doing on your part as the CEO of Air Canada?
President and Chief Executive Officer, Air Canada
I'm going to have to get back to you on that question. I don't understand the intent of the question.
Human rights to us.... Regardless of whether there is a regulation or whether, it's a value, it's critical to us that we treat all our customers with respect.
NDP
Bonita Zarrillo NDP Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC
Okay.
Mr. Rousseau, I want to understand the corporate culture that would allow for dehumanizing passengers and violating their human rights. I'm sure that you've heard that the corporate culture of an organization will eat any strategy for lunch. It's regular business jargon. That's why I wanted you to come to this committee: because I really want to understand the corporate culture, because any accessibility strategy, any accessibility plan, will not be successful if it's not important to you.
The PBO report on accessible transportation for persons with disabilities, published March 31, 2023, shared that only 31% of managers and executives completed their mandatory accessibility training.
Since Air Canada did not have to report in that study, I'm interested to know if you have taken any accessibility training yourself. I know that you referenced today some increased accessibility training for your staff, but have you taken any accessibility training yourself?
President and Chief Executive Officer, Air Canada
Yes. We have some modules for leaders that provide a framework for us to do better on accessibility.
NDP
Bonita Zarrillo NDP Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC
You said “leaders”, so you're saying you've taken them.
President and Chief Executive Officer, Air Canada
Yes. I've taken the module to give me a better sense of accessibility issues.
NDP
Bonita Zarrillo NDP Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC
What percentage of your executive has taken those modules?
President and Chief Executive Officer, Air Canada
I don't have that information available right now.
NDP
Bonita Zarrillo NDP Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC
If you could report that back to this committee, that would be great.
Have the board members of Air Canada taken accessibility training that you're aware of?
President and Chief Executive Officer, Air Canada
Again, I'm not aware of whether they have as part of Air Canada or some other organization that they're associated with.
NDP
Bonita Zarrillo NDP Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC
Would you be willing to approach your board with a request for them to take your newly revised accessibility training?
President and Chief Executive Officer, Air Canada
I'll speak to the board about that, yes.
NDP
Bonita Zarrillo NDP Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC
Would you be willing to mandate that all the leadership take the accessibility training at Air Canada?
President and Chief Executive Officer, Air Canada
I think that's a very good idea.
NDP
Bonita Zarrillo NDP Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC
Thank you.
Mr. Rousseau, I've seen many photos of your government relations people having drinks with the Liberals, with the Liberal government. I've seen it on Twitter. I've seen many receptions where they've been there. I'm wondering what value Air Canada gets from these relationships and these events that they go to with Liberal MPs.
President and Chief Executive Officer, Air Canada
David Rheault is on the call. He's in charge of government relations at Air Canada.
We run a very complex business. Our government relations people speak to different government parties and individuals to explain our challenges and issues and to provide updates as to how we're doing.
NDP
Bonita Zarrillo NDP Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC
I'm going to get cut off here, Mr. Rousseau, so I'll just let you know that I've never been invited to any kind of information session from any of your government relations people.
I might not get another opportunity to talk, so I want to mention that I do take into consideration that it took two months to get this meeting with Air Canada, even though we had requested it before the Christmas break.
Thank you.
Conservative
The Vice-Chair Conservative Tracy Gray
Great. Thank you, Ms. Zarrillo.
Just before we go into the next round of questions, I want to say that in just about a minute we are coming up to 5:30. We did start late because of the vote. My intention would be to give the full two hours, which would mean we'd go to 5:50. That would be the full two hours. We do have interpretation.
It's over to you, Ms. Falk.
February 5th, 2024 / 5:25 p.m.
Conservative
Rosemarie Falk Conservative Battlefords—Lloydminster, SK
Thank you very much, Chair.
Following up on MP Zarrillo's last comment, the request was given months ago for you to attend our committee. It's kind of ironic that all are virtual. I'm wondering if this speaks to a testament of Air Canada's service delivery and flight availability. It's unfortunate that we don't have you here, given the fact that this request was given so long ago.
As has been said, many news reports have emerged about the discrimination and the mistreatment experienced by persons with disabilities travelling by air. It's disheartening and truly unacceptable. Air travel should not be a demoralizing experience. I can only begin to imagine the hardship that individuals have experienced. Of course, these just are the experiences that attract news attention.
Mr. Rousseau, I will presume that you would agree that Air Canada still has a way to go to consistently meet its commitment to “offering a high level of customer service and providing a dignified, positive and safe flight experience for all passengers”.
Would it be your assessment, however, that Air Canada is in compliance with the Accessible Canada Act and the Canada Transportation Act?