Release #02.012
February 5, 2002

OTTAWA---The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) is disappointed that the Canadian Air Transport Security Act (Bill C-49) tabled today in the House of Commons merely reshuffles existing security roles under a new agency that does little to address the core security issues in Canada.

Pilots are particularly upset at the surprise introduction of the Bill because ALPA and other groups have been hammering out the details of needed reforms through work groups sponsored by Transport Canada.

"Bill C-49 does little, if anything, to make substantive improvements," said Capt. Kent Hardisty, Executive Vice-President of the Air Line Pilots Association, International.

"All they’re doing is shifting the security responsibility from the airlines to the airports, leaving in place the same inconsistent third-party contracted security system that is a major part of the current problem. They’re also creating yet another bureaucratic layer, in which the airlines and the airports would each have two of the eleven patronage seats on the board of directors. The Government of Canada must reassert its responsibility and authority for the security of Canadians. The proposed Bill is essentially smoke and mirrors," he said.

Captain Steve Luckey, Chairman of ALPA’s National Security Committee added, "It makes you wonder why we are working so hard with the work groups, if they’re going to ignore our results and go for a quick, expedient political fix." Nevertheless, Captain Luckey confirmed, "ALPA is committed to the work group process because that’s where the real solutions should be developed."

ALPA represents 66,000 airline pilots at 46 carriers in Canada and the U.S.

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ALPA CONTACT: Capt. Kent Hardisty (613) 569-5668