The Council of Canadians with Disabilities has been involved for a number of years in a complaint to the Canadian Transportation Agency regarding the attendant airfare issue. Air Canada used to provide a 50% discount in airfare for those persons with disabililties who travelled with an attendant. They revised their policy a year or so ago and the discount now only applies to full fare tickets. The “discount airlines” Westjet, Jazz etc. have never provided a discount. CCD’s position has been that the airlines should assume the full costs of attendants. This issue is long standing and is being heard over the next three weeks in CTA hearings in Toronto. David Baker acts as legal counsel for CCD on this
issue.
Opening arguments were heard on November 14th and the hearings will continue until December 1st. They are being held in the Barclay Room of the InterContinental Hotel at 220 Bloor St. West. It would be great if persons with disabilities in the Toronto community could attend a part of these hearings so that Members and the airlines know we are interested in this issue. The hearings run from 9-5 each day Monday to Thursday and until 4PM on Fridays.
Pat Danforth Chair of CCD’s Transportation Committee will attend from November 28-December 1st.
If you have any questions, please contact Laurie Beachell, the National Coordinator of CCD. Laurie Beachell
National Coordinator
Council of Canadians with Disabilities
926-294 Portage Avenue
Winnipeg, Manitoba
R3C 0B9
laurie@ccdonline.ca
tel: 204-947-0303
Fax: 204-942-4625
CILT
