No. H058/99
For release June 8, 1999

TRANSPORT MINISTER ANNOUNCES PUBLIC 
AWARENESS CAMPAIGN ON UNRULY PASSENGERS

OTTAWA — Transport Minister David Collenette today announced an awareness campaign designed to inform the public about the dangers of interfering with airline crew members.

"Abusive and unruly behaviour by airline passengers is a global problem," said Mr. Collenette. "The goal of this campaign is to heighten awareness that interference with crew members is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Through this campaign, the Government of Canada, together with its partners, is demonstrating its commitment to ensuring the safety of crew and passengers."

Transport Canada co-ordinated the development and production of two posters and an airline ticket stuffer. The department will soon be forwarding these campaign materials to stakeholders, notably air operators and travel agents, for dissemination to the travelling public.

This campaign was developed by a government–stakeholder working group, whose mandate is to recommend an effective strategy to reduce and respond to incidents of interference with crew members. Established by Transport Canada through the Canadian Aviation Regulation Advisory Council, the working group is made up of representatives from the Air Transport Association of Canada, several major air carriers, the Air Line Pilots Association, the Canadian Union of Public Employees – Airline Division, and various law enforcement agencies.

"I am confident that raising public awareness about this issue will help reduce incidents of interference with crew members, said Mr. Collenette. "The working group will continue to look at other ways to tackle this issue, including the possible need to introduce new legal requirements, improved enforcement, enhanced crew training and standardized incident reporting criteria."

Campaign materials may be viewed on Transport Canada’s web site at http://www.tc.gc.ca/civilaviation/systemsafety/pubs/menu.htm#Posters

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Contact:
Peter Gregg, Communications Advisor
Office of the Minister, Ottawa
(613) 991-0700

Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca.
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