There are no signs of consumer advocates promised by the Liberal government as airport turmoil continues

In 2019, the Free Government promises new consumer advocates, including traffic-related complaints However, as a traveler, I will deal with the ongoing turmoil at Canadian airports, but there are no prospects for a new agency yet.

Canadian airports and airlines face major problems such as delays, cancellations, lost and delayed luggage. On Tuesday, Air Canada regained top spot on the global list of the most lagging major airlines, with 65% of its flights delayed. Pearson Airport in Toronto was the only airport in the world with more than half the flight departure delayed, the Canadian Press reported.

Transport Canada issued a press release on Wednesday to keep you up to date on our efforts to "reduce latency and congestion." Following a similar meeting with Greater Toronto Airport last week, Transport Minister Omar Algabra met with Air Canada's CEO on Monday to "employ more employees quickly and strengthen core operations. Discuss the current and planned actions that are being taken. " Authority and West Jet. Air Canada has already canceled 9,500 flights this summer.

This release showed a number of previously announced measures from the Free Government, including task forces and the suspension of forced random COVID-19 tests. "We are making progress, but challenges remain. A significant number of travelers continue to face travel delays, flight cancellations, airport check-in and baggage service issues." I am saying.

Air passenger advocate Gábor Lukács states, "What we are seeing now is the result of the government's lack of enforcement of passenger rights."

He said the airline "stolen people's money. They knew they didn't have the facilities to do it, or should know reasonably. There was, but I promised the public to transport them. "

In 2019, the power of attorney of then Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains said," Support for federal regulation. He instructed him to create a new Canadian consumer advocate to secure a single point of contact for those in need. Banking, communications, or transportation related complaints.

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Two and a half years later, there is no up-to-date information on the establishment of the agency. As of a year ago, innovation, science and economic development are still working on the mission of Canadian consumer advocates, according to government documents obtained through access to information.

"I'm writing today to show that I'm working to define the mission of consumer advocates and seek the cooperation of your department to help shape this job. I read the partially edited June 2021 letter. Deputy Minister of ISED for his counterpart of Canada Transport.

"When a Canadian wants to file a complaint under existing consumer protection legislation, he encounters confusing and disjointed rules that make it difficult to find the right place. I often hear it. Ask for help to resolve their concerns, "the letter said.

Innovation, science and economic development do not answer directly when asked for the latest information on the progress of the work of new consumer advocates, or when Canadians can expect the launch of a new organization. It was. Last year, in an already announced government effort, he pointed out the launch of a "consumer hub" website that provides Canadians with information on existing complaint handling.

Daniel Tsai, who teaches at the University of Toronto and the University of Metropolitan, said that such institutions "definitely need". "It's basic to have some kind of fair institution," he said.

"It's quite late."

He said the government "made up for the lost profits of the last few years by dealing with COVID-19. We need to act as a kind of mitigation for the industry we are trying to do. " ”

Now Canadians can file complaints with the Canadian Department of Transportation, but both Tsai and Lucax point out criticism that regulators are too close to the industry at the expense of consumers.

Last year, the Commons Transport Commission recommended that the Canadian Transport Authority "need to explain what steps it would take to prevent regulatory capture." This is a phenomenon that begins to favor the industry regulated by regulators. Instead of the general public.

Tsai said, "We need to make a rail." It's basically a separation between the church and the state, in this case the industry and the regulator.

When it is implemented, he said, "a much more effective regulatory body can be created" for the benefit of consumers.

John Lawford, Executive Director of the Public Industry Advocacy Center, said, "Visualizing or focusing consumer interest at the federal level is a very welcome development."

The government is not only a defender of consumers, but also a minister of consumer affairs or "the equivalent of the (US) Federal Trade Commission, which coordinates all consumer protection and trade practices. "And so on, he said. Federal level. "

" It's much more desirable than having a negligible person, perhaps a very weak commissioner, "he said.

Still, having a place to "express the consumer's point of view" would be somewhat improved, he said. "I think one can shake the Minister of Transport on his shoulder and say no, this is serious."

Lukács also explains how effective new consumer advocates are. I was skeptical. He said a better way to go is to increase the cost rewards for lawyers dealing with certain types of consumer cases. When it comes to large companies with systematic problems, "through this kind of court system solution, we have seen far more progress and far more consumer protection."