LOCATION: National
ISSUE/SOURCE: Results of International Civil Aviation Organization Audit (ICAO)
DATE: May 2025
SUGGESTED RESPONSES
- In June 2023, Canada was subject to an audit of its civil aviation safety oversight system by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The audit resulted in an Effective Implementation score of 65.1%, a significant decline from 95% in 2005.
- ICAO identified several gaps related to oversight processes and regulatory framework; these are currently being addressed through the implementation of Corrective Action Plans.
- ICAO did not identify any significant safety concerns with respect to the operational safety of Canada’s civil aviation system.
- Transport Canada remains confident in the safety of Canada’s aviation system. Canadian carriers, maintenance organizations, manufacturers, and airports continue to operate cohesively.
- Transport Canada officials have been engaging with international counterparts to reaffirm safety performance, showcase aeronautical rigor, and commitment to the ICAO standards, emphasizing proactive measures in response to audit findings.
- A follow-up audit – in the form of an ICAO Coordinated Validation Mission – will take place in a few months to access Canada’s progress in addressing the gaps from the 2023 safety oversight audit.
- As a signatory to the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation, and host nation of the ICAO, Canada remains firmly committed to adhering to the ICAO international Standards and Recommended Practices and strengthening its safety and security oversight system.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
- From May to June 2023, Transport Canada (TC) was audited by the ICAO, as part of the Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme. Canada received an audit score of 65.1%, a significant decline from the last audit performed in 2005 when Canada was among the top-10 performing countries.
- This audit evaluated the effectiveness of Canada’s regulatory system and its alignment with international standards. It is not a direct measure of safety indicators or an assessment of unsafe operations within the Canadian aviation industry.
- In December 2023, Canada’s audit score was published on the ICAO public website in.
- TC submitted the required Corrective Action Plans to ICAO and the majority of the corrective action plans are now accepted. TC is currently focusing on implementing the approved corrective action plans in preparation for the ICAO’s follow up visit, referred to as ICAO Coordinated Validation mission, on December 10, 2025, to evaluate TC’s progress on the implementation of the corrective actions.
- TC has established an International Aviation Branch that will focus on ICAO compliance, international policy and engagement with domestic and international stakeholders, Safer Skies, environmental protection and technical cooperation.
- Specific examples of how safety performance is maintained and enhanced in Canada include:
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- Since 2018, there have been 29 regulatory amendments to the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs).
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- Since its inception in 1990, the Transportation Safety Board (TSB) has made 158 recommendations to TC. To date, 135 recommendations (86%) have been addressed to strengthen the safety posture of civil aviation.
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- In 2024, although the total number of aviation accidents in Canada was up slightly to 161, this number remained below the 10-year average of 179 accidents per year.
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- Airline operations in Canada continue to be one of the safest in the world. In 2024, there were nine accidents in this sector with no fatalities.
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- In 2024 there were 2 accidents involving Commuter operations (one fatal), 27 involving air-taxi operations (6 fatal) and 17 accidents involving aerial work operations. Private/recreational aircraft accounted for 101 accidents (10 fatal).
- TC recognizes the potential to improve safety in specific areas and has initiated an Air Taxi Safety Campaign and a General Aviation Safety Program that are focusing on safety promotion and education to address the risks in these sectors.