CTA seeks public input on air passenger protection

Canadian Transportation Agency Press Release | June 11, 2018

Estimated reading time 2 minutes, 49 seconds.

Canadians can have their say on air passenger protection as the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) develops new regulations.

The CTA wants to hear from the public during an in-person consultation, held in Toronto on June 14, 2018 at:

The Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel (123 Queen St West) from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Additional sessions will be held at the following locations:

Metropolitan Hotel Vancouver (645 Howe St, Vancouver, B.C.) on June 18;
The Westin Calgary (320 4th Ave SW) in Calgary, Alta.) on June 20;
Quality Inn & Suites Yellowknife (5010 49 St, Yellowknife, N.W.T.) on June 22;
Delta Hotels Winnipeg (350 St Mary Ave, Winnipeg, Man.) on June 25;
InterContinental Montreal (360 Saint-Antoine St W, Montreal, Que.) on June 27, 2018;
Atlantica Hotel (1980 Robie St, Halifax, N.S.) on June 29;
Delta Hotels Ottawa City Centre (101 Lyon St N, Ottawa, Ont.) on July 4;

New provisions of the Canada Transportation Act, which were added by the recently-passed Transportation Modernization Act, mandate the CTA to develop regulations setting out airlines’ obligations with respect to flight delays and cancellations, denied boarding (bumping), tarmac delays, damaged or lost baggage, seating of children with parents or guardians, the transportation of musical instruments, and communication with passengers.

For most of these categories, the law states that the regulations should prescribe minimum standards of treatment.

For several (flight delays or cancellations within the airline’s control, denied boarding within the airline’s control, and lost or damaged baggage), the law also provides for minimum levels of compensation.

The consultation process will continue until Aug. 28, 2018. Once it concludes, all the input received will be considered and the new regulations will be drafted.

The regulations will require approval from both the CTA and the Governor in Council to come into force.

Public attendance

Members of the public who wish to attend in person are encouraged to register on the consultation web site and provide a written synopsis of the topics they wish to discuss.

Anyone requiring accommodations for accessibility and communication support at the sessions, such as assistive listening devices and sign language interpretation, should indicate their requirements when registering, no later than 10 calendar days prior to the sessions.

Online session

Individuals wishing to participate but who cannot attend the in-person consultations in person can participate via an audio live session on July 5, 2018 starting at 1 p.m. EDT.