Pilot Shortages in the Aviation Industry
Location: National
Issue/Source: Impact of pilot shortage on the aviation industry / TRAN
Date: March 2024
Suggested Responses
- Labour is a key part of our transportation system – without workers, the movement of passengers and products grind to a halt, with potentially deep and far-reaching impacts on our economy and communities.
- This is why Transport Canada (TC) needs to ensure all partners are incorporated in the transportation system to create and fill good jobs in Canada that support sustainable economic growth.
- Provided an aviation pilot student meets the Canadian Aviation Regulations regarding experience, training, testing, and medical certification, the student qualifies for issuance of the appropriate license or permit.
- Transport Canada is engaging industry to explore cadet programs and other opportunities to help address pilot shortages in Canada.
If pressed
- Transport Canada is also working with other federal partners such as Global Affairs Canada and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada to encourage foreign students to come to Canada for training and ultimately work as flight instructors or commercial pilots.
- Permanent residency is often required to work in the aviation sector. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada requires Study Permits, and in some cases Student Visas, before students can start training at a flight school. The pandemic did cause some backlogs in the processing of Student Visas.
- Transport Canada is working with the Air Transport Association of Canada, the Canadian Council of Aerospace and Aviation, and Employment and Social Development Canada to address barriers for Canadian students related to the high cost of training.
- Part IV of the Canadian Air Regulations also provides some limited experience credits for any foreign students that have completed some training in their source countries.
Background Information
- A 2022 survey by the Air Transport Association of Canada identified the high cost of training for its member flight schools and operators as the main obstacle inhibiting students from entering or completing their training. Transport Canada is engaging with Employment and Social Development Canada to standardize access to student grants and loans.
- Improving the viability of aviation careers aims to enable alliances and agreements between initial flight schools and the air operators to create cadet programs to financially sponsor students of merit from underrepresented groups or limited financial means.
- Transport Canada (TC) has undertaken consultations with industry on potential regulatory amendments to address issues with personnel qualifications, training, and licensing. These regulatory measures are targeting pre-publication in Canada Gazette, Part I in the coming months.
- Canadian students alone are insufficient to fill pilot shortages. The Foreign License Validation Certificates program allows foreign pilots who meet agreed International Civil Aviation Organization standards to work for up to a year with a Canadian company. Longer-term programs are also in place for students who have a path to permanent residency or citizenship.