Safe restart of Air Sector
LOCATION: NATIONAL
Issue/Source:
Date: MARCH 23, 2021
Suggested Responses
- The Government of Canada has been dedicated in working with Canada’s vital air transportation industry to introduce a comprehensive, layered system of measures and guidance to protect Canadians and those working in the transportation and shipping sectors.
- This layered approach includes health screening measures, temperature checks, mandatory face coverings, testing pre and post travel, quarantine measures and ensure arriving passangers are met by public health officials for appropriate screening.
- As we look to the future, we know that a strong and competitive air transport industry is vital for Canada’s economic recovery.
- While preventing the spread of the pandemic will continue to remain the top priority of the Government of Canada, we know that when the time is right, we will need to prepare for a safe restart of the air sector.
- We will continue to work with industry to explore opportunities and to understand its operational concerns.
IF PRESSED
- The COVID-19 pandemic remains fluid, and given the uncertainty, the role of testing and quarantining remain vital to control the spread of the virus. Canadians understand that the measures we have in place to protect Canadians cannot be removed without careful consideration.
- We are aware of the CPC Opposition motion, and are committed to working with all parties towards the safe, gradual re-start of the air sector, when the time is right.
- This will include continuing to work with Canada’s vital aviation industry, something that we have done and made a priority since the beginning of the pandemic.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
- Transport Canada is consulting broadly through the Air Travel Restart Working Group to ensure that this work is aligned with broader restart initiatives across the Government of Canada.
- The Air Travel Restart Working Group consists of federal departments: Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), Health Canada, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), the Privy Council Office and a cross section of key industry stakeholders: Air Canada, WestJet, the Greater Toronto Airports Authority and Vancouver International Airport. The Working Group will develop a plan that includes clear actions towards safely restarting commercial activity in the aviation sector.
- The work towards restart must assess, examine and identify how the aviation industry and the federal government can collaborate to develop a plan for the safe restart and reopening of the Canadian aviation sector and consist of an approach with clearly defined principles and milestones that are underpinned by the latest science and data available.
- TC has developed a draft governance framework that sets out the mandate, governance and main objectives of the working group and this serves as a basis for the conversations and work conducted each week.
- In terms of next steps, the Working Group has developed a Workplan to further lay out the specific work that needs to be undertaken by this group in the short, medium and long term that will be discussed at the next meeting.
- The Working Group is committed to consulting industry associations going forward through existing COVID discussion forums. This is the same approach that was used successfully in the development of the Flight Plan. Discussions at the provincial/territorial level will also be scheduled to update on progress.