The following message to Canada’s aviation community has been issued by Transport Canada:

COVID-19 poses a significant challenge to Canada’s healthcare system. Regulatory bodies at all levels of government are working to limit the strain on the system.

To that end, all persons who currently hold a valid Transport Canada aviation Medical Certificate (MC) expiring on or before June 1^st, 2020 may continue to exercise the privileges of their permits, licenses, or ratings until August 1^st, 2020 subject to the conditions listed in the Exemption notice dated 17 March 2020.

Furthermore, no medical examinations for new aviation MCs will be conducted until at least May 1^st, 2020.

All aviation MC holders shall continue to comply with the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) in all respects, and the CARs continue to apply in all respects other than the Exemption noted. Aviation MC holders are reminded that they shall not exercise their privileges if they cease to hold a valid MC by meeting any of the circumstances set out in section 404.06 of the CARs.

A copy of the official Transport Canada communications is appended below, including Section 404.06 of the CARs.