Fox Shouldn't Guard Henhouse - A Tory Recipe for Disaster

Fox shouldn’t guard henhouse

Written by Lethbridge Herald
Monday, 24 August 2009

The federal government is flying into stormy weather with its new plan to download enforcement of aviation safety standards onto the aviation industry itself.

Critics of the controversial new regulatory system point to tragedies in the country’s rail industry in warning of the danger of letting industry serve as its own safety watchdog.

Rail safety in Canada has been governed for almost a decade by a so-called safety management system which makes companies responsible for crafting their own safety plans, based on regulatory standards, and making sure they conform.

During that time, there have been several mishaps in which the finger of blame was pointed at faulty rail safety systems. One of those incidents involved a runaway train which killed two railway workers in 2006.

Ottawa could be courting similar disaster by handing over responsibility for aviation safety to the air industry itself.

Virgil Moshansky, a former judge whose probe into the deadly Air Ontario crash in 1989 led to major changes in Canada’s aviation industry, says the new system is “like the fox running the henhouse.”

Proponents of the new system say by putting the onus on airlines to devise their own safety policies, identify risks and emphasize safety to their employees, it adds an extra layer of safety, with regulatory authorities acting as a backup.

Large airlines in Canada already operate that way, says the transportation minister’s office.

Perhaps ideally, the new system could indeed provide that additional level of safety. But based on the experience with the rail industry, what’s to suggest that ideal will be met by the aviation industry?

That’s not to say airlines aren’t concerned about safety. Indeed, adherence to safety standards is in their best interests, too. But where’s the guarantee that at some point in the system, attention to the bottom line won’t take priority over a maximized-thinking approach to safety, especially in a difficult financial situation?

That’s the whole reason for government-directed regulatory agencies in all areas. Someone outside the industry — whether it be financial, automotive, airline or whatever — needs to be looking out for the best interests of citizens. That should be one of the roles of government, to serve as that independent watchdog, that agent of accountability.

There’s no question airlines and railways alike must take primary responsibility for ensuring the safety of passengers and employees, but Transport Canada also has a responsibility to make sure those safety standards are in place and are being maintained.

Some critics, including unions representing Transport Canada inspectors and pilot inspectors, view the government’s new system as a money-saving effort, which it quite likely is. But that’s a high price to pay for potentially compromising air safety.

Link to original Opinion piece from The Lethbridge Herald

Air Tory a recipe for disaster

Written by Mark Sandilands
Monday, 31 August 2009

Editor,

I agree with your editorial, Fox shouldn’t guard henhouse (August 25th). You accurately describe and rightly criticize the Harper government’s recent announcement that they are changing regulations so the aviation industry will enforce its own safety standards.

What you failed to mention is that the Conservatives brought a similar plan before parliament in the spring of 2007 (Bill C-6); it was rejected by the majority of the House of Commons.

What happened was that Bill C-6 was discussed in the Transport Committee and, there, changes were made by opposition MPs to improve the legislation, according to a story in the Hamilton Spectator (on June 19, 2007).

MPs made the changes after hearing from many witnesses who warned that the move to safety management systems specified in C-6 would dismantle government oversight of air carriers, leaving safety up to them.

However, once the bill was back in the House of Commons, the federal minister of transport made a bid to sweep aside the changes to his airline bill intended to ensure continued safety in the skies. The opposition charged that the minister had been pressured by airline lobbyists.

At the time, the opposition parties worked together to defeat the Transport Minister’s attempt. However, now the Conservatives have brought in almost the same rules via regulation, by-passing the wishes of the majority of the representatives of the people of Canada.

Peter Julian, the NDP MP from Burnaby-New Westminster, was one of those who spoke out against the Transport Minister’s plans. In his speech Julian mentioned the case of Dax Air, a small northern Ontario airline, that tried to follow safety guidelines only to find that they were not able to compete financially with other airlines that cut corners. Dax Air has now ceased operations.

An interesting coincidence is that this is all happening exactly one year after the outbreak of Listeriosis which killed 17 Canadians and made hundreds ill. What was the cause of the outbreak? Lack of government safety inspectors.

Canadians should rightly fear for their safety when the Conservatives are in charge.

Link to original Letter to the Editor from The Lethbridge Herald