Safety: Is the condition to which risks are managed to acceptable levels.

For the purposes of the Civil Aviation program and to bring our strategic goals into focus, Transport Canada Civil Aviation defines safety as the condition where risks are managed to acceptable levels.
 

A safe transportation system is an essential element of the Government of Canada’s commitment to protect the health and well being of Canadians. To support this commitment, Transport Canada’s vision is: A transportation system in Canada that is recognized worldwide as safe and secure, efficient and environmentally responsible.

The department’s vision statement is guided, in part, by the principle: Highest practicable safety and security of life and property—guided by performance-based standards and regulations when necessary.

However, safety is not something that can be absolutely guaranteed. How we manage risk in aviation—or what we do to prevent accidents from occurring in the first place— becomes the logical and necessary focus of our endeavours.