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News Release
Release #03.041
May 14, 2003
ALPA Asks Canadian Ministers for Relief from Oppressive Taxes and Charges
WASHINGTON, D.C.---The head of the world’s largest union of airline pilots, and the president of its Canada Board, are asking Canadian Cabinet ministers to provide relief from the excessive government imposed costs that threaten a recovery of Canada’s ailing airline industry.
"It is ALPA’s view that the myriad of taxes, charges and additional costs that the Government has imposed upon the airline industry have had a significant and negative impact upon its viability. At a time at which, by any measure, the industry is in a state of crisis, the policy direction reflected by such imposed costs is seriously misplaced and unfair," said Capt. Duane Woerth, president of the Air Line Pilots Association, International, and Capt. Kent Hardisty, president of the Canada Board unit of ALPA, in a letter sent today to all Cabinet ministers. The ministers are meeting tomorrow to consider actions to provide relief for the ailing airline industry in Canada.
"Now that the House of Commons Standing Committee on Transport has issued its report and recommendations on the Financial Viability of the Airline Industry in Canada, it is time for the Cabinet to take quick and effective action," the letter stated.
Specifically, ALPA recommended that:
- The federal Government abandon the Security Charge in its entirety.
- The federal fuel excise tax be eliminated for commercial aviation.
- The Federal Government cease to collect rents from airports.
- The Federal Government allow Canadian carriers to benefit equally with foreign buyers through programs similar to those to promote export of Canadian built aircraft. In addition, ALPA believes the tax and accounting rules in Canada need to be amended to be equivalent to U.S. requirements for the purchase or lease of aircraft.
ALPA represents 66,000 airline pilots at 42 airlines in Canada and the U.S. Its Web site is http://www.alpa.org.
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ALPA CONTACT: Art LaFlamme, (613) 569-5668