An airplane descends into the fog blanketing the region while on approach to land at Vancouver International Airport, in Richmond, B.C., on Sunday, November 26, 2023. A draft report from a United Nations agency gives Canada a C grade for flight safety and oversight, down from A+. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Canada's flight safety oversight has received a C grade, a significant decline from an A+ nearly two decades ago, according to a draft report from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The confidential audit reveals that Canada's score has dropped to 64 out of 100, with notable declines in three areas of safety oversight: aircraft operations, airports, and air navigation.
The UN agency recommended that the Canadian government establish a system to ensure full regulatory compliance by airlines and airports, enhance certification related to dangerous goods, and provide proper training and fatigue management for air traffic controllers. The report underscores concerns about a shortage of air traffic controllers and a trend of transferring safety responsibilities from the government to the industry.
The audit follows incidents such as the low-speed collision of two Air Canada planes in Vancouver and an air traffic control clearance issue in Florida. However, the Canadian government emphasized that the UN report is not a measure of the country's safety performance and does not indicate any immediate action requirements.
Transport Minister Pablo Rodriguez's spokeswoman, Laura Scaffidi, stated that ICAO has not identified significant safety concerns with Canada's civil aviation system and that the country's air sector is among the safest globally. Despite the lower grade, University of Manitoba transport institute director Barry Prentice pointed out Canada's positive flight safety record, with a decline in accident deaths and no major commercial airline crashes in decades.
While the total number of air transportation accidents in Canada reached a new 10-year low last year, the ongoing challenges in the aviation sector include a shortage of aviation employees and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The draft audit had a response deadline of October 30, and the final report is expected in the coming weeks.
Canada's scores in various safety oversight categories, including legislation, licensing, and accident investigations, were lower than other G7 countries, except the United Kingdom, and below most OECD member states. Oversight of aircraft operations saw the most significant decline, falling from a score of 88 to 23.
The report raises concerns about the delegation of oversight duties to airlines and manufacturers rather than the government taking responsibility for checks and safeguards. Transport Canada, responsible for promoting safe and secure transportation, emphasized its commitment to thorough inspections and oversight activities to ensure regulatory compliance. The ICAO has agreed to conduct a new audit in 2025, considering Canada's efforts to align with international standards.
