Air Safety Round Table: Dennis Bevington
Dennis Bevington is the NDP Transport Critic who arranged and hosted the Round Table Event.
Welcome Statement
I’d like to thank you for braving the inclement weather, and the rather large demonstration that is going on out there as well.
Peter Julian, the previous NDP Critic on Transportation, suggested that we come together about a month or two ago, to talk about advancing the aviation safety issue prior to its coming up on the legislative agenda. To build an understanding of the issues and so we can present quite clearly a balanced approach to aviation safety in the future. And I can, I guess, fulfill my role as Transport Critic so much better having heard the varied points of view that you represent.
I have concerns of course, coming from the Northwest Territories where we fly many places in adverse conditions on small airlines. Many of the concerns that I have are shared by my constituents, concerns around (unintelligible) the direction in regard to safety and the role of the Federal Government in ensuring safety in aviation. Those are things that play out so much across this broad country.
I'm pleased to see such a wide variety of participants.
(Introduces speakers)
Dennis Bevington during Question Period
(Video 1:16)
April 23, 2009
NDP Transport Critic Dennis Bevington asked the following question in the House of Commons:
"Yesterday pilots responsible for inspecting safety practices on airlines said because of this government's move to have the industry oversee its own safety, Canada is no longer meeting international aviation standards. The proposed safety management systems will remove Transport Canada from its important role inspecting planes and enforcing safety regulations. How can this government continue to allow the industry to police its own safety when it knows doing so puts Canadians' air safety below world standards."
Hon. Rob Merrifield, Minister of State (Transport) replied:
"Mr. Speaker, nothing could be further from the truth. Safety absolutely comes first for the airlines. Anyone getting on an airline in Canada must be assured and know that safety is paramount, but further than that, we not only insist on safety but we make sure that we have a culture of safety within the entire airline system. That's our approach in Canada: it's completely different than what the honourable member has tried to allude to, and he should actually apologize for his question.
