Transport Canada’s proposed new Flight & Duty Time regulations are still stalled at Treasury Board, and it is unclear whether or not they will proceed in their current form.
Advocacy work from HAC and ATAC and their members has been an important factor as the Liberals question the merits of proceeding with these oppressive new regulations. HAC and others have maintained that these proposed regulations will hurt northern, remote and Indigenous communities most. Even with the changes under discussion since they were published in Canada Gazette I in July, the draft regulations require further amendment. In their current form, they are simply unsuitable for the Canadian helicopter community.
New, significantly shorter tour lengths, the elimination of the "zeroing” provisions; new, cumulative duty hours; new, more conservative flight time limits; and the uncertain requirements of Fatigue Risk Management Sytems and SMS, top the list of our objections. The effect of your outreach to your members of parliament was a significant factor causing the Liberals to reflect on the wisdom of these regulations — particularly, in the run-up to next Fall’s Federal election — but our work is not over yet. We still may need another push to see that these draft regulations receive further consultation and amendment. Stand-by for further information from HAC on our next-steps.