April 20, 2007

Hon. Merv Tweed M.P.
Chair, Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON

Dear Sir:

The Canada Safety Council is one of several organizations concerned that the changes currently under consideration by the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities may jeopardize the safety of Canada’s aviation system. Bill C-6, the proposed legislation to amend the Aeronautics Safety Act, will sanction changes to the way Transport Canada inspectors operate and will allow the airline industry to enforce safety regulations and standards.

When the space shuttle Columbia was destroyed in February 2003, seven astronauts died. The report on that disaster revealed it was the result of flawed safety practices. Even after Challenger blew up in 1986, also killing seven astronauts, NASA did not improve its safety systems. The August 2003 Columbia Accident Investigation Board report found that managers accepted flaws in the system as normal and frowned on dissent. We do not want this kind of atmosphere to develop and then simmer undetected in Canada’s airline industry, until one day a major tragedy occurs.

NASA's findings, along with the parallel Canadian situations in Part 6 of the following analysis, should give pause. Cutbacks are inevitable; the government must control costs. The private sector must stay competitive. However, it is false economy to cut back on safety. Time and time again, costly, preventable catastrophes happen because potential risks in the system are accepted as normal. Time and time again, improvements to safety-related infrastructure are marginalized and considered "frills." Complacency must never be allowed to take hold when it comes to safety.

Independent third party audits are absolutely critical to assuring the integrity of any system, be it related to finance, quality and/or safety. Lives will be at stake unless the government ensures there are enough Transport Canada inspectors to do that vital job. The function and authority of the regulator must not be compromised.

The safety of the flying public is paramount. To that intent, we respectfully submit the following analysis for the Committee’s consideration on Monday, April 23, and ask you to provide copies to all members.

Sincerely,

Jack Smith
President

CC: Hon. L. Cannon, Minister of Transportation, Infrastructure and Communities

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		April 20, 2007 Hon. Merv Tweed M.P. Chair, Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities House of Commons Ottawa, ON Dear Sir: The Canada Safety Council is one of several organizations concerned that the changes currently under consideration by the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities may jeopardize the safety of Canada’s aviation system. Bill C-6, the proposed legislation to amend the Aeronautics Safety Act, will sanction changes to the way Transport Canada inspectors operate and will allow the airline industry to enforce safety regulations and standards. When the space shuttle Columbia was destroyed in February 2003, seven astronauts died. The report on that disaster revealed it was the result of flawed safety practices. Even after Challenger blew up in 1986, also killing seven astronauts, NASA did not improve its safety systems. The August 2003 Columbia Accident Investigation Board report found that managers accepted flaws in the system as normal and frowned on dissent. We do not want this kind of atmosphere to develop and then simmer undetected in Canada’s airline industry, until one day a major tragedy occurs. NASA's findings, along with the parallel Canadian situations in Part 6 of the following analysis, should give pause. Cutbacks are inevitable; the government must control costs. The private sector must stay competitive. However, it is false economy to cut back on safety. Time and time again, costly, preventable catastrophes happen because potential risks in the system are accepted as normal. Time and time again, improvements to safety-related infrastructure are marginalized and considered "frills." Complacency must never be allowed to take hold when it comes to safety. Independent third party audits are absolutely critical to assuring the integrity of any system, be it related to finance, quality and/or safety. Lives will be at stake unless the government ensures there are enough Transport Canada inspectors to do that vital job. The function and authority of the regulator must not be compromised. The safety of the flying public is paramount. To that intent, we respectfully submit the following analysis for the Committee’s consideration on Monday, April 23, and ask you to provide copies to all members. Sincerely, Jack Smith President CC: Hon. L. Cannon, Minister of Transportation, Infrastructure and Communities Return to top of page			R ecommendations on Bill C-6 to amend the Aeronautics Safety Act (PDF)