In December 2001, a member contacted the COPA office with a
rumour about extensive airspace restrictions around Calgary. These were to
include the closure of the Springbank airport before, during and after the G8
Summit meeting in Kananaskis June 26-28, 2002. (Leaders of the G8: Canada,
France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United
States, meet periodically to discuss matters of mutual interest.) COPA staff
contacted agencies in Ottawa, from the Prime Minister’s office down, to
determine who is responsible for airspace security, while COPA Director Bob
Kirkby contacted agencies in the Calgary area. Our questions were deflected to
other agencies or we were told that we “do not have a need to know.” The matter
was also brought to the attention of Doug Mein, Director of Airspace and Air
Navigation Services at Transport Canada. COPA believes, under the Aeronautics
Act, that Mein is the authority for all airspace matters unless there is an
emergency, such as September 11 or war, and even then he is supposed to be
involved. Mein personally investigated COPA’s concerns and found that, despite
having security clearances, he does not have the need to know. Mein did learn,
however, that the Department of National Defence is planning to release a NOTAM,
perhaps as early as the January 24 amendment of the Aeronautical Information
Publication.
Mein agreed with COPA that this issue must be raised at the most senior levels
of the government. We understand that, following a meeting of senior Transport
Canada officials, the matter will be raised with their counterparts at the
Deputy Minister level at DND. COPA will be taking the issue up to the Prime
Minister, who is ultimately in charge of the Summit. Although COPA would like to
have input to the plan, we appreciate the sensitive security issue. However, we
are insisting that Transport Canada be able to provide civil aviation input.
Otherwise, a repeat performance of the confusing and dangerous series of NOTAMs
that occurred in the United States following September 11 will certainly result.
We understand that deadly force is authorized for G8 security. It would be most
unfortunate if the Canadian government, through unreasonable, broad and
extensive restrictions, was responsible for a death of an unsuspecting pilot.
Contact Kevin Psutka.