44th Parl. 1st Sess.
February 3, 2022 10:00AM
- Feb/3/22 6:46:10 p.m.
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Alignment with international best practices ensures we maintain a safe air transportation system. The value of this approach is borne out by the excellent aviation safety record we have in Canada. Overall, the number of air accidents have been decreasing over the last decade. In 2020, a total of 170 air accidents were reported to the Transportation Safety Board. This represents a 25% decrease from the previous year's total of 227 accidents and is 32% below the average of 251 reported in the prior 10 years from 2010 to 2019.
Transport Canada will continue to work with key stakeholders, including Nav Canada, on the implementation of the revised advisory circular and to keep Canadians safe.
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- Feb/3/22 6:46:10 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I understand changes to regulations and guidance can be disruptive for air operators and the communities they serve. I assure members that we do not take them lightly. Where appropriate, we revise regulations and guidance in consideration of the feedback we receive.
Transport Canada advisory circular number 301-001, issue number three, which deals with the issue being raised by my colleague, was due to come into force on December 31, 2021. However, this was delayed after further consultation with stakeholders and a new version is being developed.
Aviation safety is a key priority for Transport Canada. The objective of any amendments to Transport Canada's guidance and regulations would be to further improve the level of safety within our aviation system. Transport Canada is continually working to ensure that our aviation safety system is among the best in the world. This is not bureaucratic busywork as the member suggests.
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- Feb/3/22 6:51:10 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I understand the issue that the member is raising is important for his constituents, and I will definitely bring it to the attention of the minister.
Aviation safety remains of paramount importance for Transport Canada and our government, and there is good news on this front. The number of overall air accidents has been decreasing over the last decade, as well as the number of fatal air accidents. In 2020, there were 420 aviation incidents reported to the Transportation Safety Board. This represents a decrease of 54% from the 915 that were reported in 2019 and is 47% below the average of 790 incidents per year between 2010 and 2019.
These statistics are a testament to the good work being done by Transport Canada and by the air operators and pilots it regulates to prioritize safety. We need to continually remain vigilant and build on this enviable track record.
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- Feb/3/22 6:56:10 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I truly understand the concerns of my colleague, the hon. member for York—Simcoe, and his constituents, and I commend him for his advocacy on their behalf.
The Georgina aerodrome will be a new construction. Canadian Aviation Regulation 307—Aerodromes—Consultations applies to new aerodrome development and requires the operator to undertake a consultation process with the interested parties. The public consultation phase ended on December 22, 2021. The proponent will then send a summary report detailing its consultation process to Transport Canada for review to determine if it meets the regulatory criteria.
Contaminated fill has been an issue at aerodromes in Ontario in the past. Transport Canada's responsibility is to ensure the safety of air operations in our country. It does not regulate the quality of fill used at aerodrome sites. This would fall under the purview of Environment and Climate Change Canada or the province, depending on the land use authority. Aerodromes are also subject to provincial laws, with some exceptions. For instance, if the developer of an aerodrome deposits fill on the aerodrome lands, such fill would have to meet provincial guidelines.
Determining who is responsible for an environmental contamination on airport lands is a case-by-case situation. In the context of the development of the Georgina aerodrome, the private owner could be held responsible for any environmental contamination resulting from activities where contamination is on the aerodrome lands and/or escapes outside of those lands.
The member's question also provides me an opportunity to talk about the great work that Transport Canada is doing to help protect Canada's environment. For example, budget 2019 provided $700 million to support the increased uptake of zero-emission vehicles, including $300 million for a new purchase incentive program and $265 million to encourage business fleets to switch to these cleaner vehicles. As of September 1, 2021, more than 114,000 Canadians and Canadian businesses have benefited from this point-of-sale incentive, which will help reduce emissions by up to 160,000 tonnes each year. The funding also includes $130 million to increase deployment of zero-emission vehicle infrastructure. This is in addition to the more than $180 million invested in expanding the coast-to-coast network of electric vehicle fast chargers on Canada's national highway system. That is just one example of the many significant measures our government is taking to protect our environment.
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- Feb/3/22 6:56:10 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, there is no loophole, as the member for York—Simcoe suggests. As I mentioned previously, generally speaking, aerodromes, airports and airport authorities are subject to provincial law, except where such laws impair federal aeronautics jurisdiction or conflict with federal law. For instance, if the developer of an aerodrome deposits fill on the aerodrome lands, such fill would have to meet provincial guidelines.
Allow me again to take this opportunity to highlight the significant steps Transport Canada and our government have taken to protect our environment. For example, to further support the transition to low-carbon transportation systems, this government has established very ambitious targets for the sale of zero-emission vehicles in this country.
Time does not allow me to continue, but these are just some of the many measures we have taken to ensure a cleaner environment in Canada.
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