Evidence of meeting #55 for Transport, Infrastructure and Communities in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was safety.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Aviation Safety Consultant, As an Individual
As far as safety goes, I do believe that aviation in Canada is safe.
Regarding the inquiry commission proposed by Judge Moshansky, I personally do not agree.
As for the ICAO audit, it would be absolutely justified to get one.
Conservative
The Vice-Chair Conservative Luc Berthold
Thank you very much.
Mr. Adamus, do you have anything to add in a few words?
Capt Dan Adamus
Canada has one of the safest airline systems in the world, but we can always improve. I am aware that the actual hands-on inspections are way down, and we're relying more on safety management systems. SMS does work when it's done properly. However, with pressures put on airlines on the economic side, SMS is one of the first things to go, and unfortunately it doesn't work in all airlines. So it certainly could improve.
As far as an inquiry goes—
Conservative
The Vice-Chair Conservative Luc Berthold
Thank you very much. Mr. Adamus.
Unfortunately, that's all the time we have.
Mr. Iacono, you have enough time left to ask one question before we wrap up this hour-long meeting.
Liberal
Angelo Iacono Liberal Alfred-Pellan, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
The question is for all three witnesses.
According to you, what is the most important issue for aviation safety in Canada at this time?
Capt Dan Adamus
We'll say improving the flight and duty time regulations. It's something we've been looking at for years. Canada is way behind the rest of the world. This started back in 2010. This is 2017. If we go ahead with the recommendations that the department has put forward on the implementation time frame, we're looking at another year for the large carriers and another three years on top of that for the small. We have to get moving on this, and one year for all.
Aviation Safety Consultant, As an Individual
It would be Transport Canada not reducing its oversight resources. Those resources should actually increase.
Capt Greg McConnell
I believe the most important thing the inspectors can do for Transport Canada is to exercise the minister's delegation. In order to exercise the minister's delegation, the civil aviation inspectors have to be fully trained in order to exercise that mandate and to bring back confidence for the flying public and the safety in this country. I believe that is important. That's what Minister Garneau is charged with. I believe that Minister Garneau would really like to work, as any transport minister should, towards a safer aviation system.
Conservative
The Vice-Chair Conservative Luc Berthold
Thank you, Mr. Iacono.
I want to thank everyone for joining us today and answering the committee's questions.
Thank you, respected colleagues.
The meeting is now adjourned.
