Following a report from a United Nations agency exposing a significant decline in Canada's flight safety oversight rating over the past two decades, Transport Canada has responded with an aviation safety announcement outlining its safety programs.
As Open Jaw reported on 08DEC, a confidential ICAO report obtained by The Canadian Press revealed Canada received a C on flight safety oversight — down from an A+ almost two decades ago and far below most of its peers.
In response to the draft report, Air Canada and WestJet issued statements emphasizing the report was not an audit of the safe operation of Canadian aircraft.
Both airlines expressed confidence in their safety measures, saying The Transportation Safety Board of Canada reported a 43% decrease in air transportation accidents last year.
Now Transport Canada is weighing in on the issue, having issued a “work behind the scenes” outline on aviation safety measures in Canada. The release highlights TC’s role in developing and implementing policies and regulations and administering the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs).
"Transport Canada is confident in the safety of Canada's aviation system, and the department will welcome the opportunity to further improve our processes and framework to better align with ICAO (standards and practices)," department spokesman Hicham Ayoun said in an email to The Canadian Press.
Responsible for overseeing aviation safety in the nation, Transport Canada outlined its commitment to ensuring the well-being of millions of passengers and the smooth operation of over 15 million square kilometres of airspace annually.
"We work with industry and government partners to help keep planes, people and airports safe and secure. We develop and implement policies, regulations and administer the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs)," Transport Canada stated.
"We set the standards for aircraft designed and used in Canada to ensure all meet certification requirements and operational airworthiness. We also oversee the licensing and training of pilots, crew members and aircraft maintenance engineers."
Transport Canada said its efforts to improve safety include aircraft airworthiness, aviation security, regulatory frameworks, general aviation safety, drone safety, air-taxi safety, Safety Management Systems (SMS), and accident investigations. The announcement emphasized international partnerships, mentioning collaboration with organizations such as the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Federal Aviation Authority (FAA), European Union Aviation Safety Agency, UK Civil Aviation Authority, Civil Aviation Safety Authority of Australia (CASA), and Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand.
