In view of the havoc that the current COVID-19 pandemic is causing in Canada’s aviation industry, COPA has joined other industry associations in requesting Transport Minister Marc Garneau to delay “all current regulatory and legislative consultation processes as well as an indefinite delay in the implementation of new operating requirements derived from existing regulations, that are not directly related to the pandemic.” The group is requesting that the delay last until the government deems the pandemic to be over.

The letter was signed by the Air Transport Association of Canada, l’Association québécoise du transport aérien, the Canadian Airports Council, the Canadian Business Aviation Association, the Canadian Owners and Pilots Association, the Helicopter Association of Canada and the National Airlines Council of Canada.

The entire letter is pasted below:

March 18, 2020

The Honourable Marc Garneau
Minister of Transport
330 Sparks Street
Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0N5

Dear Minister Garneau: 

On behalf of the industry Associations noted above representing the breadth of the Canadian aviation sector, we are writing concerning the unprecedented challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

We want to begin by recognizing the ongoing commitment and engagement of your Department, as all stakeholders work daily to implement new measures and adjust to new policy directives, in order to protect the health and safety of Canadians.  

We are committed to continuing all efforts necessary to meet the challenges ahead.  As you can appreciate, the operational and resource demands placed on our respective members are increasing daily.  As of course are the demands placed on Transport Canada staff.

In this environment, we are requesting an indefinite delay of all current regulatory and legislative consultation processes as well as an indefinite delay in the implementation of new operating requirements derived from existing regulations, that are not directly related to the pandemic.  We are requesting that this delay be in effect until such time as the Federal Government deems the pandemic crisis to be over.    

For the foreseeable future our members must remain focused on the immediate and widespread challenges created by COVID-19, both in terms of implementing new procedures in response to this health crisis, but also in terms of adjusting operations to meet the very real economic uncertainties that lie ahead.  The standard regulatory consultation procedures and implementation timelines established prior to COVID-19, are simply not practical. 

We thank you for your consideration and understanding of this important matter and will follow-up with your officials shortly.

Yours truly 

Air Transport Association of Canada, Association québécoise du transport aérien, Canadian Airports Council, Canadian Business Aviation Association, Canadian Owners and Pilots Association, Helicopter Association of Canada, and National Airlines Council of Canada