Federal Transport Minister Pablo Rodriguez faced sharp questioning following an investigative report revealing that Air Canada has cancelled passenger flights under the guise of "safety-related maintenance" while simultaneously utilizing those same aircraft for other routes.
The inquiries stem from an ongoing Go Public investigation by CBC News, which uncovered how the carrier utilizes specific regulatory exemptions to classify certain flight disruptions as safety-related. By categorizing the cancellations this way, the airline has legally denied eligible passengers statutory compensation for travel disruptions.
During the parliamentary exchange, the transport minister was pressed on why current regulations permit airlines to bypass compensation payouts using safety justifications when the aircraft remain operational for alternative scheduling. Lawmakers and consumer advocates are demanding clearer accountability and stricter oversight of how carriers apply these exemptions.
The Ministry of Transport is facing mounting pressure to review the enforcement of air passenger protection regulations to ensure airlines cannot exploit safety clauses to avoid financial liabilities owed to stranded travelers.
