NDP calls on the government to improve dangerous shortfalls in air travel safety

OTTAWA – On Tuesday, NDP MP Gord Johns, joined by the Union of Canadian Transportation Employees (UCTE) called on the Liberals to improve safety for all air passengers, after a report shows Canada doesn’t meet international rules on airport firefighting.

“Canadians expect that their government is doing everything possible to keep you safe while travelling,” said Johns. “But Canada doesn’t meet many of the safety rules that countries are supposed to follow. It’s deeply concerning for anyone who flies in this country and for the workers who are doing what they can to keep us safe.”

UCTE’s report on Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) shows that Canada isn’t in alignment with 73 per cent of the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) rules and regulations for airports. This includes not counting rescue services as part of the mandate of airport firefighters, meaning that if there is a situation on an airplane, passengers and staff are on their own.

Canada isn’t publishing where and how these requirements are being met, which is required.

“The Liberals are putting Canadians' safety at risk, and they need to fix this grave oversight now,” added Johns. “We know what the issues are, all the Liberals need to do is act on it. New Democrats believe that the government should always be putting the safety of Canadians first, so we’re urging them to address this issue.”