Suggested Responses
- Transport Canada recognizes the significant impact that staffing shortages at NAV CANADA can have on the aviation sector and travellers, not only at major hubs like Vancouver but also through cascading effects on smaller and regional communities.
- Transport Canada is in regular contact with NAV CANADA as it works to address these challenges and emphasize the importance of finding innovative ways to support the air sector ecosystem.
- NAV CANADA is actively working with airlines, airports and other partners to mitigate the impact of flight delays, which can be caused by a combination of factors, including staffing shortages, infrastructure maintenance, airport construction, surges in demand, and inclement weather.
If Pressed
- NAV CANADA is advancing a comprehensive approach focusing on people, processes and technology to expand its recruitment and training capacity, strengthen operational resilience, improve service delivery, and ensure the air transportation system can support future air traffic demand.
Background Information
As a private, not-for-profit, non-share capital corporation, NAV CANADA is authorized to provide air navigation services by the Civil Air Navigation Services Commercialization Act.
NAV CANADA sets and collects fees to cover its costs, which are reinvested back into the system to improve service and technology. This model allows for innovation, information technology and infrastructure upgrades aimed at enhancing operational efficiency in managing Canadian airspace, accommodate anticipated growth in air traffic, and meet the industry's evolving needs.
Transport Canada regulates safety, security and technical matters pertaining to air navigation services through the Aeronautics Act and the Canadian Aviation Regulations. Transport Canada’s first priority is to ensure the safe delivery of services and, when necessary, to apply restrictions in the interest of safety.
In addition to NAV CANADA’s initial classroom and simulator training to become a fully certified and licensed air traffic controller, some locations require 8 to 12 months or more of unit-specific on-the-job training to achieve full certification. The long lead time to becoming a licensed air traffic controller means that NAV CANADA cannot scale up its complement of air traffic controllers overnight.
NAV CANADA’s three-part strategy brings together initiatives related to people, processes and technology to increase training throughput, optimize operations, and modernize the air navigation system to better sustain and grow controller capacity to meet rising air traffic demand.
Supporting Facts and Figures
- In April 2024, NAV CANADA announced a strategic partnership with CAE – the world’s largest aviation training provider – to deliver initial training for air traffic controllers and flight service specialists, using NAV CANADA’s training curriculum and courseware at a purpose-built CAE facility in Montreal. This initiative aims to recruit and train more than 500 students by 2028.