Statement by Karen McCrimmon, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport, on diversion and delay of Air Transat Flight TSC157 at the Ottawa International Airport

OTTAWA, Aug. 1, 2017 /CNW/ - Today, Karen McCrimmon, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport, issued the following statement:

"I am aware of the weather-forced diversion and subsequent extensive delay of several flights, including Air Transat flight TSC157 at the Ottawa International Airport yesterday. I can imagine how difficult the situation must have been, especially after a long transatlantic flight.

Our Government is committed to improving the air traveller experience in Canada. When passengers buy an airline ticket, they expect and deserve that the airline will respect its agreement with them. When the terms of that agreement are not fulfilled, passengers should know their rights, and be entitled to clear, transparent, and enforceable compensation, and certain minimum standards of treatment when things do not go as planned.

To that end, on May 16, 2017, we introduced in Parliament Bill C-49 (Transportation Modernization Act) to clarify the responsibilities of air carriers and the rights of travellers, and to move to create rules to strengthen air passenger rights.

The proposed legislation would give a mandate to the Canadian Transportation Agency to develop new regulations to strengthen air passenger rights. The new regime would establish clear standards for how passengers are to be treated in various situations, including cases of overbooking, delays, cancellations, long delays on the tarmac, and lost or damaged baggage, to name just a few. Minimum compensation to be paid to passengers will be established under certain circumstances through the regulations.

Bill C-49 was referred to the Standing Committee on Transport Infrastructure and Communities on June 19, 2017. The Committee members passed a motion to study the bill before Parliament resumes, starting on September 11, 2017.

We encourage swift passage of this legislation so that work can quickly begin to improve the Canadian air traveller experience."

SOURCE Transport Canada

Delphine Denis, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport, Ottawa, [email protected], 613-991-0700