Hill Calls for Airport Authority Accountability

February 23, 2001

OTTAWA- Today in the House of Commons, Canadian Alliance Chief Transportation Critic, Jay Hill, raised concerns over the lack of sufficient regulations relating to the accountability of Airport Authorities created by the Minister of Transportation, specifically the Vancouver International Airport Authority.

Hill stated that he agreed with the findings of a report by the Vancouver Board of Trade Report that “the authority operates with a lack of explicit accountability.”

“The Board of Trade Report concluded that the Vancouver International Airport Authority has become a virtual monopoly that must become more accountable to its community. The Government needs to keep a closer watch on how the Authority is conducting its business affairs to ensure that the businesses and employees who use the facility are being treated fairly. Simply creating these entities and walking away is not responsible government.”

Hill called on the Minister of Transport to review the conduct and operating guidelines for the 18 National Airport Authorities.