QUESTION PERIOD — Transport
Airport Delays
June 15, 2022
Honourable senators, my question is for the government leader in the Senate.
Delays in our airports have become more than unpleasant; they have become problematic. According to the Toronto Star, roughly 27 flights per day were cancelled last week. Travellers at Toronto Pearson Airport have faced long lineups, delays and cancellations, so much so that it has attracted international attention.
These issues are affecting Canadians trying to get their lives back on track after the pandemic. A bride was late to her own wedding after her flight was cancelled, and she spent the night at the airport. A brother and sister rushing home to see their father before he passed away were forced to say goodbye over the phone because their Air Canada flight through Pearson was cancelled.
I abandoned flying to Ottawa this week for my Senate duties and drove five hours from Toronto to avoid the delays, cancellations and waiting on the tarmac in the airplane.
Senator Gold, Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie has been calling the situation “completely unacceptable.” I agree. What is your government’s plan to end the chaos at Toronto Pearson Airport?
Thank you for your question. The government understands the frustrations that Canadians have been experiencing all across the country, especially at Pearson. It has been working to find solutions. The measures that have been put into place, including staffing and the like, are already showing some effects, and we are seeing improvements as a result of the actions taken by the government. For example, only 10% — it is 10% too many; no one would deny that — of departing passengers are waiting more than 15 minutes in line at Toronto Pearson Airport —
— compared to 23% in early May. Work continues and will continue, as the minister has announced.
Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra recently announced the hiring of 865 more screening employees, but they still have to go through training before they are fully operational. To make matters worse, we have learned that employees in training have been allowed to go right to the front lines of work at the airport. This, no doubt, contributes to the chaos in the airport.
Senator Gold, to what extent will the added employees and the easing of COVID-19 travel restrictions address airport delays, and were their security background checks completed before they began work?
Thank you for the question. The government has made a significant investment in hiring additional staff. They are being trained and put to work as quickly as they can be. How else would you expect the government to respond to the levels of delays to which you have referred?
I do not have any information with regard to your question about background checks. I will make inquiries and report back to the chamber.
