Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities

Comité permanent des transports, de l'infrastructure et des collectivités

For immediate release

Ottawa, March 19, 2019 -

Today, the Honourable Judy A. Sgro, Chair of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, presented a report entitled Assessing the Impact of Aircraft Noise in the Vicinity of Major Canadian Airports.

As part of its study, the Committee received 36 briefs and heard from 43 witnesses, including representatives from communities affected by aircraft noise, government, industry and academia. The Committee’s study examined the impact of aircraft noise on people living near major airports and how this noise is measured, monitored and handled by airports and other entities.

The report contains 16 recommendations to the federal government that would reduce the impact of aircraft noise on communities while ensuring the safety and efficiency of Canada’s air transportation system.

“On behalf of the Committee, I would like to thank the witnesses for sharing their thoughts and expertise. Testimony from people in affected communities gave the members an understanding of the impact of noise on the quality of life of people living under a flight path,” said the Honourable Judy Sgro, P.C., M.P., Chair of the Committee.

She added: “The Committee believes that Transport Canada must intensify its efforts to modernize its noise measurement to be more in line with the latest international norms. It also believes that there must be more sustained cooperation between Transport Canada, NAV CANADA, airport authorities, air carriers, municipalities and representatives of affected communities to ensure that the impact of aircraft noise is considered in operational decisions, equipment purchases and land use planning in the vicinity of airports.

The report is available on the Committee’s webpage on the Parliament of Canada’s website. Anyone unable to access an electronic copy of the report can obtain a paper copy by contacting the Committee Clerk.