News
Canada and Europe enhance safety commitment

Aug. 11, 2011, Ottawa – The Government of Canada today announced that an
aviation safety agreement with the European Union came into force on
July 26, 2011. The Government of Canada has been working closely with
its European counterpart to ratify the Agreement on Civil Aviation
Safety. The agreement will make reciprocal acceptance of aeronautical
products and services easier, reducing costs for Canadian companies and
increasing competitiveness.

“The Government of Canada has been working closely with the European Union towards the Agreement on Civil Aviation Safety,” said the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. “By working together, we’re strengthening the aviation sector of the economy through cooperation with our international partners.”
 
“This agreement is a logical and positive next step in the cooperative relationship that has long existed between Canada and several European nations in this area,” said Canada's Foreign Affairs Minister, John Baird. “It is also a powerful expression of our shared commitment to improving safety and reducing barriers to economic growth.”

This agreement will allow more Canadian aeronautical products and services to enter the European market through greater reciprocal acceptance of approvals, reducing the level of effort for all parties. It will also provide stronger and more consistent communications between Canada and the European Union on all work related to aviation safety matters. Aviation safety will be enhanced as the agreement commits both the European Aviation Safety Agency and Transport Canada to jointly resolve safety issues. It will allow the Canadian aviation industry to compete more successfully in the European Union, a community of 27 countries, resulting in more opportunities for the trade of civil aviation products and services.