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Union not surprised at TC inspector shortage
November 29, 2012 By Carey Fredericks
Nov. 29, 2012, Ottawa - Transport Canada's admission to the civil
aviation inspector shortage is no surprise. Testifying before the House
of Commons public accounts committee, Transport Canada acknowledged that
it was not in compliance with the recommendations set out in the
Auditor General's Spring 2012 report.
"Our inspectors tell us that they do not have the time and resources
necessary to do the job that needs to be done in aviation safety
today. They say that the regulatory oversight role is often compromised
in favour of checking off company safety management system plans," said
Christine Collins, National President of the Union of Canadian
Transportation Employees (UCTE). "Add to this the difficulties to have
training approved, a salary that is up to $25,000 less than those they
have to supervise and the impact of the recent budget cuts and it is no
wonder that morale is low in the workplace."
Of interest to note
is Transport Canada's unwillingness to provide information in answer to
direct questions on the number of companies deemed "high risk" and its
failure to provide the specific number of inspectors and engineers since
2008.
"The department has had four years to improve its
situation and has failed to do so," said Collins. "What will it take
for them to do the right thing?"
