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The Government of Canada introduced legislation on Tuesday that would establish new bill of rights for people flying on airlines within, into or out of Canada
Bill #C49: These air passenger rights will ensure that travellers are treated like people, not just a number. https://t.co/Ux5niRYW2Q
— Marc Garneau (@MarcGarneau) May 16, 2017
The new rights are part of a package of amendments to the Canada Transportation Act to provide a better experience for travellers and a fair, efficient and safer freight rail system to facilitate trade and economic growth.
Key measures of the proposed legislation include:
“The time has come to modernize our policies and practices to provide a safer, more competitive and respectful system that can respond to modern conditions and to Canadians’ expectations,” said Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport. “When Canadians purchase an airline ticket, they expect the airline to provide the service that they paid for and to be treated with respect. When things don’t go the way they are planned, travellers deserve clear, transparent, fair and consistent compensation.”
The legislation will apply to airlines flying within, into or out of Canada.
You can read the proposed legislation in full here.
The bill has been proposed following a year where it appears airlines can’t stop making headlines for all the wrong reasons.
In April, United Airlines experienced a public relations nightmare after a video clip went viral of a doctor being physically dragged off one of their planes by security officers.
@united @FoxNews @CNN not a good way to treat a Doctor trying to get to work because they overbooked pic.twitter.com/sj9oHk94Ik
— Tyler Bridges (@Tyler_Bridges) April 9, 2017
And just last week, Air Canada was ranked in a study as the worst airline in North America - even falling behind United Airlines.
That being said, it hasn’t all been bad news. Back in February, a Westjet pilot surprised hangry passengers with pizza after their flights were rerouted due to poor weather conditions.
Here is the @westjet legend who got us @aircanada passengers food. AC said it was impossible! pic.twitter.com/M69eoU6RDv
— John Samms (@JohnSamms) February 9, 2017
However, regardless of the past incidents, people across Canada who rely on flying for transport will be hopeful the new legislation addresses their flight concerns.
As the bill was just introduced to the House of Commons, it will take some time before legislatures vote on whether to pass it into law.