Air passenger traffic worldwide is increasing and the demand for qualified pilots is outpacing current training capacity. Canada and the world are facing a pilot shortage that affects not only commercial aviation, but also the military, as well as remote communities that rely on air transport for food, medicine and other goods. To examine this ongoing issue, the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities studied the challenges facing flight training schools in Canada.

Testimony from stakeholders representing various aspects of the aviation industry gave committee members a better understanding of the major issues facing Canadian flight schools. The committee also identified policies that would address these challenges to support and encourage the growth of Canada’s flight training industry.

Witnesses identified a shortage of flight instructors, the underrepresentation of women and Indigenous people among Canadian pilots, and insufficient support for remote and Northern air operators as key issues facing flight schools. The committee recommends incentives to promote flight instruction as a career path, outreach programs targeted to underrepresented groups as well as sector-specific initiatives to support remote and Northern operations.

This study also revealed barriers to the use of new technologies in flight training, as well as several regulatory and taxation challenges facing Canada’s flight schools. The committee recommends supporting the development of new technologies, as well as regulatory modernization to allow their appropriate use in flight training.

Financial considerations are a significant barrier to both potential students and flight schools. The committee recommends increased support to flight schools to assist with high capital costs, as well as increased funding through the Airport Capital Assistance Program. The committee also recommends several changes to existing financial assistance programs to ensure eligibility for flight training programs for employment purposes.

Witnesses also raised the issue of retaining international flight students, as well as concerns regarding safety and working conditions for new pilots. The committee recommends a simplified immigration process for foreign pilots, particularly those who have graduated from Canadian flight schools. The committee also recommends a review of regulatory oversight regarding aviation operations that are heavily dependent on recently graduated pilots to ensure the safety of these pilots and their passengers.