The cozy relationship between the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) and the airline industry it pretends to regulate is well known. It may come as a surprise, though, that the CTA is literally “in bed with the industry.”
In May 2018, the government appointed Mr. J. Mark MacKeigan a full-time Member of the CTA. Members of the CTA make regulations and adjudicate disputes between air passengers and airlines, and are expected to act independently and impartially, like judges.
CTA Member MacKeigan’s spouse, Mr. Leslie Lugo, is a prominent lawyer paid by the airline industry.
Mr. Lugo is the Assistant General Counsel for the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the trade association for the world's airlines, representing some 290 airlines, including most airlines flying within, to, and from Canada, such as Air Canada.
IATA advocates against air passenger rights
IATA has been vehemently opposed to the European Union’s outstanding air passenger rights regime established by Regulation (EC) 261/2004. IATA unsuccessfully challenged the regulations in the European Court of Justice.
In the recent “Air passenger protection consultation,” the CTA identified IATA as an industry group and stakeholder. IATA made extensive submissions to the CTA, advocating for the airlines’ interests and against better protection of the rights of air passengers.
Apprehension of conflict of interest
CTA Member MacKeigan’s ongoing involvement in matters that relate to the very industry that pays his spouse’s salary creates the apprehension of conflict of interest.
We have written to the CTA and asked that Member MacKeigan not be involved in any way in matters relating to the airline industry, such as, but not limited to:
- the adjudication of disputes between passengers and airlines; and
- the making of regulations affecting the relationship between passengers and airlines.
We are awaiting the CTA’s response.
Update
On December 20, 2018, Mr. Scott Streiner, Chair and CEO of the CTA, wrote us that:
I am confident that the necessary safeguards are already in place to avoid any improprieties.
