TRAN Motion on Aviation Safety
October 13, 2009
To the Members of the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities (SCOTIC)
Re: Motion for Study of Transport Canada's Aviation Safety OVersight and Safety Management Systems (SMS) Implementation
Ladies and Gentlemen;
It has come to our attention that NDP Transport Critic Dennis Bevington has put forward a Motion to the SCOTIC that a study be undertaken of Transport Canada's enforcement of safety regulation and SMS implementation in the aviation industry.
We should like you to be aware that there is a great deal of support for this Motion, but many people within the industry will hesitate to say so on the public record. The reason for this is the very reason that Safety Management Systems in Canada may be fatally flawed - there are no guaranteed and effective protections for public or private sector whistleblowers. Far too many individuals have suffered career-ending reprisals as a result of
attempting to have safety issues addressed.
SafeSkies.ca is an organization whose mission is to ensure the necessary controls are in place to protect aviation workers and the travelling public and to advance transparency, integrity and accountability within the industry, and especially within Transport Canada. Our organization represents those who are afraid to speak out for fear of repercussions.
I urge you to read this article from the November issue of "The Walrus", titled "Fly at your own risk" for a better understanding of the serious concerns of industry representatives and workers.
http://www.walrusmagazine.com/articles/2009.11-transport-fly-at-your-own-risk/
Please accept this plea on behalf of many members of the aviation industry who remain anonymous out of fear, to carry the Motion and report to Parliament on your findings. SafeSkies.ca will be reporting the results of the vote on the Motion, and continuing to collect signatures on a petition for a full judicial inquiry.
Respectfully,
Kirsten Stevens
Campbell River, BC
http://safeskies.ca
