PROPOSED REVIEW OF LEVEL OF SERVICE at NAV CANADA
LOCATION: NATIONAL
Issue/Source: NAV CANADA’S LEVEL OF SERVICE REVIEW AT SELECTED OPERATIONAL SITES
Date: APRIL 27, 2021
Suggested Responses
- I am pleased to see that NAV CANADA has committed, at this time, to not close any air traffic control towers or flight service stations, including at northern and remote locations, across the country.
- I also welcome NAV CANADA’s commitment to maintaining a continuous dialogue with their employees, stakeholders and communities, as Canada’s air transport sector responds to the ongoing pandemic.
- Maintaining appropriate service in our local communities will allow NAV CANADA to continue to provide air navigation services required to support industry today and throughout the recovery.
IF PRESSED
- NAV CANADA is a private, arm’s length corporation, mandated to manage Canada’s air navigation services. As safety regulator, Transport Canada will not permit any changes that would introduce unnecessary safety risk into the system.
- I can confirm that at this time, Transport Canada officials have received one aeronautical study on the Red Deer Flight Service Station overnight closure, however no decisions have been made on proposed changes.
- We are aware of Bill C-278 that was introduced by the opposition and will review it carefully.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Before undertaking any action, NAV CANADA would have to submit aeronautical studies to Transport Canada to identify the risks to aviation safety and how to eliminate or reduce those risks.- The role of the Minister pertaining to the review of service by NAV CANADA is toward safety, and to ensure that any proposed changes will not increase unnecessary risk to aviation safety.
- Non-designated sites that were subject to a potential closure will now only be examined for potential adjustments to hours of operation. Studies for non-designated sites that were only related to overnight services (i.e. hours of operation) and those where there are no employees on site (eg Remote Aerodrome Advisory Services (RAAS)) are proceeding.
- Assessment work is underway for the studies that are being adjusted by NAV CANADA. They anticipate they will be shared with stakeholders in regard to specific findings and recommendations later this spring.