COPA has assembled a seaplane advisory committee consisting of six members who will address the issues facing this sector right across the country.
Though, COPA already provides specific benefits for floatplane members such as a periodic floatplane focus in the newspaper and benefits applicable to floatplane members and general members alike such as safety articles, insurance and general representation.
The purpose of a Seaplane Advisory Committee is to provide a focus group for floatplane issues, such as National Parks access and over-flight, federal/provincial jurisdiction over navigable waterways and environmental initiatives.
COPA staff and the Board will benefit from having knowledgeable floatplane pilots from across the country lend their expertise to national issues so that COPA can have a maximum effect on positions brought forward to the government and industry.
As a floatplane issue comes to the table at COPA, the experts on the committee would be canvassed for their advice as a position is being formulated, and even at times one or more of these volunteers could make representations on COPA’s behalf if necessary.
As well, there will be regional issues, such as provincial park access, for which a particular group may be seeking assistance and can benefit from the experience of others across the country that have perhaps even experienced, the same issue in the past.
Composition of the committee
The Committee consists of six COPA members and appointed by the COPA Board. The committee will be chaired by one of the committee members and who will be appointed by the Board.
At the COPA Board meeting held in Ottawa, on Oct. 29, the board approved the new seaplane advisory committee and the members who will sit on the committee.
Ray Hawco - COPA director from Newfoundland and Labrador (committee chair)
Eric Fauteux - Director of the APBQ (Quebec Bushplane Pilots)
Doug Ronan - President of the Ontario Seaplane Association (and COPA Flight)
Henri Lauriault - Seaplane pilot and aviation business owner from Northern Ontario
Steve Nunn - Past president of the BC Floatplane Association (and COPA Flight)
Kevin Psutka – COPA president/CEO and newly-minted seaplane pilot
The following are some issues which have recently come to the front of the burner and will be looked at by the Seaplane Advisory Committee:
1. Henri Lauriault and Doug Ronan will look into Ontario's review of the legislation governing its parks and other protected areas.
2. Ontario's Kawartha Highlands Signature Site
This important area (north-west of Peterborough) was the subject of a review and COPA input was provided by our Legal Counsel, Dan Cornell, in favour of creation of a new class of recreational area in Ontario. We thought that we won that issue only to discover after the fact that the government decided to create a provincial park. Although it appears to be likely that aircraft will get access along with other traditional users, it will be necessary for COPA to be involved every step of the way. Doug Ronan will coordinate with Dan Cornell to ensure that we get input to the process.
3. Temagami area management plan
This area of north-eastern Ontario is again under review with a view to introducing user fees and other access controls. COPA has already met with the manager of the review and Henri Lauriault is knowledgeable of the issue and the area. Lauriault will take the lead on this one, along with other pilots in the area to help address the issues.
4. BC Tourism Wildlife Project Team
Having recently won access to most BC parks, the BCFA was confronted with yet another review of access to parks and other areas of BC. A team of COPA and the BCAC attended a recent meeting to discuss the issues and make representations. This one, in many respects, is really pushing the envelope when claims such as helicopters are damaging the environment because they "compress the soil" are being made. Steve Nunn is familiar with the issue and will take the lead on this one.
COPA’s personal privacy policy update
From time to time you may be contacted by one of COPA’s marketing partners, such as the Bank of Montreal who manages our affiliate MasterCard program, to see if you are interested in taking advantage of the program.
We give permission for these solicitations on a limited basis because we believe these programs are of value to you as well as to COPA.
In the case of the MasterCard program, COPA receives a contribution, at no cost to you, for every purchase that is made. We apply that revenue against the expenses of COPA, which in turn helps to keep membership fees as low as possible.
We realize that your privacy is important and we carefully control the access to and use of your information. COPA’s privacy policy is available on our website through a link located at the bottom of the home page or in hard copy by contacting the privacy coordinator at 613-236-4901 ext.109 or jmckerroll@copanational.org.
If you do not wish to be contacted during one of the COPA-approved campaigns, you can contact the privacy coordinator at any time to be removed from any marketing campaign.