As a result of their deliberations committees may make recommendations which they include in their reports for the consideration of the House of Commons or the Government. Recommendations related to this study are listed below.

Recommendation 1 — Encourage Competition

That the Government of Canada focus on measures to encourage competition in the air sector.

Recommendation 2 — Health and Safety of Workers

That the Government of Canada take meaningful steps to improve the safety of the working environments for airline workers, including recognizing the right to refuse unsafe work.

Recommendation 3 —Definition of “Crew” in Regulations

That the Government of Canada act to clarify definitions of “crew” in regulations to support the movement of airline workers and pilots through travel restrictions.

Recommendation 4 —Workforce Issues at NAV CANADA

That the Government of Canada act to address chronic understaffing and lack of trainees at multiple NAV CANADA locations through its representation within NAV CANADA governance and the Minister of Transportation’s safety mandate.

Recommendation 5 – Flight Controller Fatigue

That the Government of Canada consider modernizing fatigue regulations for flight controllers as it did recently for pilots.

Recommendation 6 —Recovery Strategy (protect jobs)

That the Government of Canada work with industry and labour groups to devise a recovery plan for the aviation sector that includes measures to protect jobs in the wider aerospace sector.

Recommendation 7 — NAV CANADA’s Service Level Reviews (safety and economic concerns)

That the Government of Canada recognize the safety and economic concerns raised by witnesses concerning the proposed service reductions to NAV CANADA Air Traffic Control Towers and Area Control Centres, and further, that the government never compromise on safety in the aerospace sector, including ensuring that safety is not compromised as part of any service level adjustments by NAV CANADA.

Recommendation 8 — NAV CANADA’s Service Level Reviews (the role of the Minister of Transport)

That the Government of Canada undertake to provide new powers to the Minister of Transport that would allow them to shield NAV CANADA towers from a service review.

Recommendation 9 — Recovery Strategy

That the government of Canada work with public health, the industry and labour groups to establish an aviation re-start strategy, to be in place as soon as possible, that reflects science-based and data-based decision making with respect to testing and quarantine measures, and which will enable a phased re-opening of international air travel and provide a clear path forward for the re-opening of domestic travel.

Recommendation 10 — Duration of Quarantine

That the Government of Canada, in consultation with public health and the airline industry, review the relationship between screening and quarantine of passengers to determine if it would be feasible to reduce the length of quarantine to 10 or 7 days instead of 14 days.

Recommendation 11 — Rapid Tests

That the Government of Canada, in collaboration with public health, airport authorities and air sector workers, consider further integration of rapid testing of passengers at airports before boarding.

Recommendation 12 — Strengthen Quarantine Requirements

That the Government of Canada improve the standards for hotel quarantine and ensure robust quarantine requirements for all arriving international air passengers.

Recommendation 13 — Pilot Projects

That the Government of Canada, with direction from public health officials, apply learnings from rapid testing pilot projects to all Canadian airports.

Recommendation 14 — Conditions for Financial Support

That the Government of Canada extend support to the air sector as soon as possible but on condition that (a) airlines reimburse customers who were unable to complete their itineraries due to pandemic; (b) regional routes are restored in order to reconnect communities who lost air service during the pandemic; (c) contracts are honoured with Canadian aerospace companies; (d) independent travel agents are not penalized by losing their commissions when airline passengers are reimbursed; (e) any financial support received is not used for any enhanced executive compensation; stock buy-backs; or dividends for shareholders; (f) financial relief is directly tied to protecting jobs and re-hiring workers and (g) the maintenance of Canadian airlines’ aircraft takes place in Canada.

Recommendation 15 — Equity Stake in Canadian Airlines

That the Government of Canada consider acquiring an equity stake in any Canadian airlines that receive public money to better mandate activities in the public interest.

Recommendation 16 — Protect Jobs

That any financial relief provided by the Government of Canada to the aviation sector, as part of its restart strategy, be directly tied to protecting jobs and re-hiring workers.

Recommendation 17 — Involvement of Unions

That the Minister of Transport work closely with union representatives in devising and negotiating sectoral support for the aviation industry.

Recommendation 18 — Extension of the Wage Subsidy

That the government of Canada extend the wage subsidy to the air sector beyond June to reflect the reality that it will take some time for the sector to recover even after mass vaccination.

Recommendation 19 — Rent Relief

That the Government of Canada consider extending rent relief for large and medium-sized airports beyond 2020-21, until the airline industry has recovered from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Recommendation 20 — Review of the Legislative Framework

That the Government of Canada amend air passenger protection legislation and regulations to make explicit passengers’ pre-existing right to receive reimbursement  in circumstances where the airlines are unable to complete the client‘s itinerary in a reasonable period of time, even in cases beyond the control of the airlines (such as a major public health emergency).

Recommendation 21 — Prevent Regulatory Capture at the Canadian Transportation Agency

That the Canadian Transportation Agency be required to explain what measures it takes to prevent regulatory capture.

Recommendation 22 — Recognition of Passengers' Rights to a Refund

That the Government of Canada recognize that a fundamental right to a refund for passengers of cancelled flights exists beyond the protections found in the Air Passenger Protection Regulations.

Recommendation 23 — Full Refunds

That the Government of Canada immediately require that all Canadian airlines fully refund passengers for flights they were unable to take due to the pandemic.

Recommendation 24 — Bill C-249

That the Committee recommend to the House of Commons that Bill C-249 be considered as soon as possible with a view to its speedy passage to ensure the protection of passengers' rights to a refund.

Recommendation 25 — Support for Regional Routes

That the Government of Canada ensure that remote and northern regions have access to reliable, efficient and affordable air service, and that financial and structural support for air carriers is equitable and allows smaller players to compete with larger ones.

Recommendation 26 — Equity in Financial Support

That any financial relief provided by the Government of Canada to the aviation sector be proportional and fair amongst all airline carriers to provide help to small and regional carriers.

Recommendation 27 — Financial Support to Small and Regional Airports

That the Government of Canada explore means to provide financial support to small and regional airports who have seen revenue reductions due to flight suspensions.

Recommendation 28 — Development of a National Aerospace Strategy

That the Government of Canada work in partnership with the aerospace industry to develop a national aerospace strategy that addresses the civil, military and space sectors, with a specific focus on retaining and developing skilled workers and assisting in the transition to new technologies, including sustainable, low carbon technologies.

Recommendation 29 — Emergency Funding for NAV CANADA

That the Government of Canada consider providing emergency funding to NAV CANADA to allow it to continue operations through the pandemic until flights return to previous levels.

Recommendation 30 — Alternative Methods of Funding for NAV CANADA

That the Government of Canada explore alternative methods of funding NAV CANADA operations that provide greater stability in the event of declines in passenger traffic, preserve access for essential flights, and provide greater accountability of decision making, including by restricting the circumstances under which NAV CANADA may reduce staff levels or worker compensation.

Recommendation 31 — Reflect on Lessons Learned

That Transport Canada draft a “lessons learned” report with recommendations on how to respond in the event of future emergency situations like the COVID‑19 crisis which lead to extended restrictions on travel.