A Canadian parliamentary committee is calling for sweeping changes to Canada’s air passenger rights rules, including better compensation regulations for those facing delayed or cancelled flights, and tougher enforcement of the rules. Canadian Press reports that the recommendations, tabled in Ottawa on Tuesday (April 18), comes after chaotic travel seasons over the summer and winter holidays brought on by soaring demand, labour shortages and winter storms. The House of Commons standing committee on transport offered 21 recommendations, including stronger monetary penalties, smoother processing of compensation claims and automatic payout offers after cancellations, significant delays or denial of boarding. The Globe Read more
Australia
CTV News reports that Opposition MPs in the Canadian government are calling for an “urgent” meeting of the House of Commons’ Transport, Infrastructure and Communities Committee to discuss the treatment of Via Rail and airline passengers this holiday season, and to hear directly from the minister responsible. “Hundreds of Canadians were stranded over the holidays due to extreme weather and poor customer care on the part of Canadian airlines and VIA Rail. These difficulties add to the troubling treatment of air passengers during the pandemic,” reads the letter, sent to committee chair and Liberal MP Peter Schiefke. “Canadians deserve timely Read more
I remember my first visit to Halifax. I was in the middle of a block and wanted to cross the street. I was lazy, so rather than strolling to the nearest crosswalk I decided to jaywalk. The car closest to me stopped smoothly and gave me lots of space to dash across the road. I was baffled. You see, I live in Toronto. When you jaywalk in Toronto, you take your life into your hands. Cars honk at you. People roll down windows and make rude gestures. Fist fights erupt, police are called, and criminal charges ensue. In Halifax, they Read more
TRAVEL NOTEBOOK JANUARY 25, 2021: Great Britain and Australia easing travel rules, Calgary hotel owners cry for help, and American travel confidence grows. My first item of the day is a very big story out of Great Britain. Associated Press reports that the British government announced Monday “that it is scrapping coronavirus testing requirements for vaccinated people arriving in England, news hailed by the travel industry as a big step back to normality.” Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the move is being made “to show that this country is open for business, open for travelers. You will see changes so Read more
Germany takes the cake, but Canada wins the silver medal. A new Nations Brand Index report from Anholt Ipsos finds Germany ranks in first place out of 60 countries around the world. It’s the seventh time overall and fifth year in a row that Germany has taken top honours. Germany was the highest ranked NBI nation in 2008, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020, and now in 2021. With another first place ranking this year, Germany has now tied the United States’ record of seven years as the top NBI nation. Germany’s reputational strengths lie on the Exports, Immigration and Read more
