Press Room
“Flight Rights Canada- Not Nearly Enough”
Ottawa, September 5th, 2008 –
The creation of Flight Rights Canada does little to help airline passengers cope with current problems in the industry say Ottawa-based PIAC The Public Interest Advocacy Centre and Option consommateurs from Montreal. “If our government is truly interested in a fair deal for airline consumers, it must do more. It must establish what they have a right to receive without extra charge from the airline, in return for their ticket, as well as how they must be compensated for airlines canceling, overbooking flights and failing to live up to reasonable passenger expectations” said Michael Janigan, the Executive Director of PIAC.
“Although it was given the power to prevent misleading airline advertising last year in federal legislation, the government failed to make the right to full disclosure of pricing part of it package” noted Stephanie Poulin.chief legal counsel for Option consommateurs. “This is an inexcusable oversight for a document meant to promote consumer rights and competition”.
The consumer groups also note that unlike international jurisdictions such as the United States, Transport Canada does not keep performance statistics on airlines for such matters as on-time arrivals, lost baggage, overbooked flights and the like. “It is tough to figure out how you can improve consumer protection and information necessary for a competitive market when the regulator doesn’t bother to check airline performance” said Janigan.
Option consommateurs is a not-for-profit association whose mission is to promote and defend the basic rights of consumers and ensure that they are recognized and respected. Founded in 1983, it has engaged in over thirty class action suits and is active in such areas as energy, agrofood, financial services, and commercial practices.
The Public Information Advocacy Centre (PIAC) is a non-profit organization that provides legal and research services on behalf of consumer interests, and, in particular, vulnerable consumer interests, concerning the provision of important public services.
For more information, please contact:
Michael Janigan
Executive Director
PIAC
613 562-4002, ext. 26
Stéphanie Poulin
Head of Legal Department
Option consommateurs
514 598-7288
“Although it was given the power to prevent misleading airline advertising last year in federal legislation, the government failed to make the right to full disclosure of pricing part of it package” noted Stephanie Poulin.chief legal counsel for Option consommateurs. “This is an inexcusable oversight for a document meant to promote consumer rights and competition”.
The consumer groups also note that unlike international jurisdictions such as the United States, Transport Canada does not keep performance statistics on airlines for such matters as on-time arrivals, lost baggage, overbooked flights and the like. “It is tough to figure out how you can improve consumer protection and information necessary for a competitive market when the regulator doesn’t bother to check airline performance” said Janigan.
Option consommateurs is a not-for-profit association whose mission is to promote and defend the basic rights of consumers and ensure that they are recognized and respected. Founded in 1983, it has engaged in over thirty class action suits and is active in such areas as energy, agrofood, financial services, and commercial practices.
The Public Information Advocacy Centre (PIAC) is a non-profit organization that provides legal and research services on behalf of consumer interests, and, in particular, vulnerable consumer interests, concerning the provision of important public services.
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For more information, please contact:
Michael Janigan
Executive Director
PIAC
613 562-4002, ext. 26
Stéphanie Poulin
Head of Legal Department
Option consommateurs
514 598-7288
