Evidence of meeting #36 for Transport, Infrastructure and Communities in the 39th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was transport.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Merv Tweed
Mr. Julian, do you have a final comment or question? You have a couple of minutes.
NDP
Peter Julian NDP Burnaby—New Westminster, BC
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I appreciate it.
Mr. Wing, how long does it take to sufficiently train a top-of-the-line aviation inspector? What's the process?
National President, Union of Canadian Transportation Employees
I don't know the answer to that question. My guess is that it would probably be about five years, depending on where the individual came from.
If these people came from industry and had some technical experience and background, it's quite possible that the period of ramping up would be less than it would be for somebody coming in without that background. I understand it's a considerable period of time.
NDP
Peter Julian NDP Burnaby—New Westminster, BC
You're concerned about the imminent attrition rate, and you know there are inspectors who are going to be reaching retirement age. The figure that's most often cited is about 40% over the next five years.
If the government wanted to ensure we had the same level of safety, they would be investing right now to ensure that as the attrition rate increases, we'd have inspectors who are trained, adequately formed, and able to do the job. Is that right?
NDP
Peter Julian NDP Burnaby—New Westminster, BC
The fact that the government isn't doing it, as you say, would be a sign that they really do not want to deal with the issue of the attrition rate. In a sense, for example, some of the comments we've heard about having fewer regulatory resources or fewer inspectors would be valid. We'd see the government investing now, if they really wanted to deal with the issue.
National President, Union of Canadian Transportation Employees
The department is definitely moving into an SMS mode. There are going to be inspectors who are required to have a certain level of expertise, but more and more people are going to become more generalist. You don't need the same degree of operational experience to be able to take a look at systems.
For example, how many complaints have been received with regard to safety in a company? It's 149. I'm not sure if it's good or bad, but it's 149. And what was done in these ten particular incidents? “Well, we're satisfied to a degree that the safety management system in place is going to be effective.” Thank you very much, and we'll see you in a year. But the most important part of the safety has really not been looked at, certainly not to the degree that it needs to be.
NDP
Peter Julian NDP Burnaby—New Westminster, BC
Thank you.
You mentioned earlier that the follow-up audits are not being completed. Is it because there are simply not enough inspectors now to do the work, or is it because Transport Canada is pulling out of doing follow-up audits? What's the consequence of that?
National President, Union of Canadian Transportation Employees
Transport Canada has not been able to maintain a schedule of follow-up that they have followed for number of years. There's been a gradual decline in the number of audits that Transport Canada has been able to conduct because of improper resources or an improper number of inspectors to do the job.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Merv Tweed
Thank you, Mr. Wing.
Thank you to all of you for attending today and providing us with some information that I'm sure we'll all deem very valuable down the road.
We're going to adjourn now, but I would ask members of the steering committee to stay for five minutes. I want to review what we have on the schedule for the next three to four meetings.
The meeting is adjourned.