Federal government doesn’t understand its role

Transport Minister David Collenette's July 16, 2003 announcement of financial relief was welcomed by Canada's airports but when they are asked to provide Canadians with greater accountability, it's seen as government interference by the Canadian Airports Council (CAC).In March 2003, the Federal Government unveiled its long overdue, Canada Airports Act, Bill C-27. This act is intended to replace the 1994 National Airports Policy which was used to carry out the commercialization of federally owned airports in Canada.Over the past few years, the 1994 National Airports Policy has come under serious criticism by the Auditor General and the House of Commons Standing Committee on Public Accounts.Much of the criticism stems from a lack of accountability of the airport authorities to the federal government and the lack of a defined role for Transport Canada in a post-commercialization environment. Many people recognize both the importance and urgency of new legislation to address these problems.At this time, there is a lack of understanding pertaining to the roles and obligations of direct airport stakeholders, namely the federal government and how it deals with the Airport Authorities.The Airport Authorities have made it known they would prefer the Federal Government continue to assume a hands-off approach as regards their affairs. This new legislation would start the process by which Transport Canada would audit the airports on a regular basis and ascertain their compliance with federal regulations and requirements as well as guarantee their accountability to their communities and their transparency in business.Collectively, the Airport Authorities, through their organization, namely the Canadian Airports Council (C.A.C), have lobbied heavily to have this already diluted legislation put on the back burner if not withdrawn altogether. Having this legislation in place would remove the self-government privileges the airport authorities now enjoy.Airports are not fiefdoms that are to be ruled as the few in power see fit. Accountability and transparency, words used to demand changes within government are not the sole jurisdiction of the government, but pertain to any public corporation, including airports.While some airport authorities understand the need to have new legislation in place, others dismiss government oversight, however minimal it may be, as interference, preferring instead to be able to run a "for profit" airport, accountable only to themselves and their board of directors.Unfortunately, the new legislation does not guarantee a position on the new airport boards from organized labour. While accountability under the old National Airports Policy has been grievously deficient, one avenue used in the past to ensure accountability was through the labour representative on these boards. But this is no longer a guarantee.The legislation, in our opinion, does not go far enough to ensure the accountability and transparency required of today's modern, fiscally-responsible and community-oriented airports. But it is a step in the right direction and needs to be passed though Parliament.Transport Minister David Collenette's July 16, 2003 announcement of financial relief was welcomed by Canada's airports but when they are asked to provide Canadians with greater accountability, it's seen as government interference by the Canadian Airports Council (CAC).In March 2003, the Federal Government unveiled its long overdue, Canada Airports Act, Bill C-27. This act is intended to replace the 1994 National Airports Policy which was used to carry out the commercialization of federally owned airports in Canada.Over the past few years, the 1994 National Airports Policy has come under serious criticism by the Auditor General and the House of Commons Standing Committee on Public Accounts.Much of the criticism stems from a lack of accountability of the airport authorities to the federal government and the lack of a defined role for Transport Canada in a post-commercialization environment. Many people recognize both the importance and urgency of new legislation to address these problems.At this time, there is a lack of understanding pertaining to the roles and obligations of direct airport stakeholders, namely the federal government and how it deals with the Airport Authorities.The Airport Authorities have made it known they would prefer the Federal Government continue to assume a hands-off approach as regards their affairs. This new legislation would start the process by which Transport Canada would audit the airports on a regular basis and ascertain their compliance with federal regulations and requirements as well as guarantee their accountability to their communities and their transparency in business.Collectively, the Airport Authorities, through their organization, namely the Canadian Airports Council (C.A.C), have lobbied heavily to have this already diluted legislation put on the back burner if not withdrawn altogether. Having this legislation in place would remove the self-government privileges the airport authorities now enjoy.Airports are not fiefdoms that are to be ruled as the few in power see fit. Accountability and transparency, words used to demand changes within government are not the sole jurisdiction of the government, but pertain to any public corporation, including airports.While some airport authorities understand the need to have new legislation in place, others dismiss government oversight, however minimal it may be, as interference, preferring instead to be able to run a "for profit" airport, accountable only to themselves and their board of directors.Unfortunately, the new legislation does not guarantee a position on the new airport boards from organized labour. While accountability under the old National Airports Policy has been grievously deficient, one avenue used in the past to ensure accountability was through the labour representative on these boards. But this is no longer a guarantee.The legislation, in our opinion, does not go far enough to ensure the accountability and transparency required of today's modern, fiscally-responsible and community-oriented airports. But it is a step in the right direction and needs to be passed though Parliament.Michael Wing is the national president of the Union of Canadian Transportation Employees.The Hill Times

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Federal government doesn’t understand its role

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