Meeting - Mar. 19
Thursday, March 19, 2020
9:03 AM
Attendance
Scott Streiner
Liz Barker
Mireille Drouin
Doug Smith
Marcia Jones
Tom Oommen
Valérie Lagace
Sébastien Bergeron
Alysia Lau
VL: Could offer suspension of compensation requirements altogether. SS: Could imply that these types of situations are outside air carrier control.
LB: Thought the Act already allowed for coasting trade to take place without permits for emergency operations. *VL to examine this provision.
SS and SB: What if government provides bailout?
MD: There's been confirmed COVID-19 case in INAC in Vancouver.
*Decision: TO and VL to draft s. 80 decision applicable to all air carriers with conditions proposed (and requiring air carriers to identify routes).
TO: Rather than grant blanket exemption, seek specific routes from air carriers.
LB: Vouchers would need to include reasonable conditions.
Internal Approach
MD: NB will accompany cleaners so they can empty trash cans in all closed offices.
SS: No need to specify APPR as condition. 
Shortening notification period to 2 weeks
MD: BCP - must inform PCO of additional critical service.
VL: Secretariat still receiving filings for stayed cases. *VL will share options for action with DS, SS and LB.
TO: Discontinuance of service. Sent potential conditions to Chair:
SS: Reached out to Ian Stewart from HFA.
Varia
MD: BCP - what happens to non-critical services and comms plan. *MD Will provide this tomorrow.
MD: Have already communicated with employees who need to come in, other staff have come in to take equipment home.
DS: Prefer vouchers given cash flow issues.
SS: Draft letter from TBS Secretary. MD: Main concern. *MD to reach out to TBS regarding needed flexibility with respect to deliveries.
LB: Agree with proposed conditions.
Denial of discontinuance of service in remote communities with no other viable transportation service
DS: Also have casuals that will come up over next few weeks. **SS: No need for full-blown submission, instead Branch Heads should consult MD and NB first, then draft short email for EC in advance of meeting.
SS: Encourage Branch Heads and managers to be in regular contact with staff.
MD: As of tomorrow, doors at 15 Eddy will be locked. Staff can enter with passes. MD to inform staff.
MJ: Debriefed on suspension order and APPR determination. Air carrier tone is nothing within their control. Want Agency to clarify that they are not required to refund carriers. Air carriers don't have resources to turn to implementing ATPDR.
APPR continue to apply
SS: Other issue is air carriers refusing to provide refund or voucher to passengers.
SS: Messages from Centre regarding flexibility, even in budget uncertainty. At some point, may need to seek signal from TBS/PCO regarding budget so we know what commitments we can make to employees. DRB terms extended until September.
MD: Would like today's message to express maintaining telework until further notice. *Approved
SS: ATPDR largely reflect previous codes, so not reasonable to delay coming-into-force wholesale.
SS: Considering issuing statement - current context very different from regulations, Agency view is it would be reasonable that air carriers provide refunds or vouchers to passengers affected by mass cancellations.
VL: Have a casual to take on administrative tasks for staff going on mat leave. Will present appointment to EC tomorrow.
DS: Should we continue with compressed work weeks? SS: Should give employees flexibility in line with Central Agencies.
Exemption will only apply during "crisis" pandemic period
SS: Why would this be included in the first place? TO: Some urgency to processing applications even if for several months down the road.