No. H108/05
For release May 17, 2005

INTRODUCTION OF 
AMENDMENTS TO THE AERONAUTICS ACT

OTTAWA — Transport Minister Jean-C. Lapierre today announced that legislation to amend the Aeronautics Act has been introduced in the Senate. The proposed legislation would provide Transport Canada with the required tools to maintain and enhance the safety of Canada’s aviation system.

The changes being put forward reflect new strategies being implemented to regulate aviation safety, including an increase in penalties that may be imposed under the act. Key amendments also include voluntary non-punitive reporting programs, which would allow individuals and operators to confidentially report, on a voluntary basis, certain regulatory violations.

"The proposed amendments will help modernize the Aeronautics Act and reflect the current needs of the aviation community," said Mr. Lapierre. "These changes are essential to advancing aviation safety while still respecting the continuously evolving aviation operations environment."

The Aeronautics Act establishes the Minister of Transport’s responsibility for the development and regulation of aeronautics in Canada and the supervision of all matters connected to aeronautics. A new part is being proposed in the act to provide the Canadian Forces Airworthiness Investigative Authority with new powers and duties to carry out flight safety investigations that may involve civilians in military aviation accidents or incidents. These new powers and duties would be comparable to those exercised by Transportation Safety Board investigators examining civilian accidents.

"This is very positive news for our military flight safety investigators," said Minister of National Defence Bill Graham. "The new powers will permit them to conduct more comprehensive investigations in order to ensure the safety of military personnel and civilians involved in military aviation."

The introduction of the amendments to the Aeronautics Act is the culmination of extensive consultations with stakeholders through the Canadian Aviation Regulation Advisory Council. The council’s primary objective is to assess and recommend potential regulatory changes through cooperative rule making activities concerning Transport Canada’s civil aviation regulatory mandate.

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