Lisa Raitt

[Business of Supply, May 7th, 2014]

Mr. Chair, as I have indicated already, the one-in-fifty flight attendant ratio is the standard in the U.S. and Europe. It is one that is used every day. It is also the ratio that is recognized by the International Civil Aviation Organization.

However, that is not the standard in Canada today. We are taking a look at this regulation. We are going through the proper analysis, as officials will do. They are also reaching out to industry for consultation because we directed that to happen. Once that process is complete, the package will be brought to me for consideration. At that point in time, a decision will be made.

[Business of Supply, May 7th, 2014]

Mr. Chair, I have already asked the committee to study SMS as it applies to the transportation of dangerous goods in all modes of transport. I want an interim report from it in June. I know the committee members are seized with the issue right now and I look forward to their findings in that matter.

[Business of Supply, May 7th, 2014]

Mr. Chair, I am satisfied with the work that the officials in the department have been doing with respect to this matter in analyzing. I expect that the consultation period will follow the consultations that are always carried out on these regulatory matters.

[Business of Supply, May 7th, 2014]

Mr. Chair, whenever we grant an exemption to an existing rule, there is an analysis that has taken place from a safety perspective, and that is what has happened in the past with respect to exemptions for WestJet and Sunwing. Currently we are in a process where we are taking a look at whether this regulation needs to be amended. We are seeking consultation on the matter to ensure we are abiding by what happens with carriers in the United States and in Europe. As well, a ratio that is recognized by ICAO is providing the same level of safety.

[Business of Supply, May 7th, 2014]

Mr. Chair, the one in 50 standard is accepted by international and U.S. carriers. However, that being said, the rule in Canada right now is one in 40. We are currently in a consultation period in which we will be looking for comments from industry and specifically flight attendants with respect to this issue.

[Business of Supply, May 7th, 2014]

Mr. Chair, with respect to CATSA, we can see that it is a complex assessment for the funds that are being sought this year, seeking access to $591 million approximately. That goes into three areas, which are pre-board screening, hold-baggage screening, and non-passenger screening.

On restricted area identity cards, CATSA indicates this is the money that it needs in order to ensure that it continues to fulfill the policy obligations that we have put upon it as Transport Canada.

[Business of Supply, May 7th, 2014]

Mr. Chair, CATSA, like every other organization within the government, went through a strategic review with respect to its back office operations. It did not have an effect on any front-line operations. CATSA continues to operate to ensure security and ensure that passengers are safe at our airports.

[Business of Supply, May 7th, 2014]

Mr. Chair, as I have indicated before, the change to safety management systems took place a number of years ago. Transport Canada continues to implement those systems, but this is a system that is adopted by the industry, both in air and in rail.

What is important in these systems is making sure that the culture of safety is embedded within the framework. People are thinking about safety as part of their day, as part of their lives at the company, and it has been working. It has been said by the Transportation Safety Board chair that it is the way to go. As I have indicated, we have seen a decrease in aviation accidents in Canada.

[Business of Supply, May 7th, 2014]

Mr. Chair, with respect to the inspections that are carried out in the aviation sector, the kinds of things that are looked at are regulatory compliance. We do it through oversight activities, including inspections, to which the member is referring.

We do have airline inspectors, who inspect both small airlines and large airlines. They are an important part of our system to ensure that there are safety nets. I mentioned before that it is working because we have seen a decrease in aviation accidents in this country over the past number of years.

[Business of Supply, May 7th, 2014]

Mr. Chair, with respect to the information on aviation, I indicated before that the total number of oversight positions in 2013-14 is 1,778 in civil aviation, which far exceeds the 1,400 that were there in 2012 and 2013.

These are the numbers I have, and as I said before, we have not made any cuts to aviation safety.