TRAN Committee Report

Supplementary Opinion by the NDP

The NDP supports the majority report of the study Assessing the Impact of Aircraft Noise in the Vicinity of Major Canadian Airports, even though it overlooks a number of crucial issues and essential evidence. In order to compensate for its failings, we wish to issue this supplementary opinion to the report.

The additional information provided by the NDP combines economic development and the public’s well-being. It reflects the ideas and values defended by the New Democrats, and the expectations of Canadians, particularly with respect to the issues of cohabitation and public health.

First of all, we believe that the government must focus on the healthy cohabitation of the public and major airport administrations. A fair balance must be established between the well-being of Canadians and the economic activities of airports. To that end, people must be able to enjoy periods of time free from the stressful noise of planes.

Recommendation 1: That the federal government, except in extraordinary circumstances, prohibit take-offs and landings in major Canadian airports at night, that is, between 11 pm and 7 am.

“People who live near airports often feel like second-class citizens. They cannot enjoy a normal evening like everyone else. Cargo aircraft begin flying over homes at 4 a.m. At about 5 a.m., 6 a.m. and 7 a.m., there are itinerant flights headed towards the regions. Between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m., there are local flights by small aircraft that transport packages. We are woken up starting at 4 a.m. and constantly bombarded by the noise.”

- Johanne Domingue, Comité antipollution des avions de Longueuil

Mrs. Domingue, appearing before the Committee, testified to the problems caused by constant flights near residential neighbourhoods. In light of the known health risks, measures must be taken to limit the negative externalities that Canadians face.

Then, even though there are a number of studies confirming the harmful effects that noise has on health, including disrupted sleep and cardiovascular health, a thorough Canadian study must be done of the situation, with a major focus on public health.

Recommendation 2: That Health Canada undertake a thorough study of the effects of noise on public health around major Canadian airports.

“Of course we want to know more and better document the problem. Let me come back to what I said earlier: noise is harmful to health, and we have already gathered very good evidence on this subject.”

- David Kaiser, Direction de santé publique de Montréal

Dr. Kaiser emphasized the idea of creating our own Canadian noise management model rather than simply copying what is done elsewhere. To create that model, the proper stakeholders and various orders of government must be brought together around the same table. This must be a made-in-Canada model, which is why it is so important that Canada Health conduct a thorough public health study.

Finally, Canada must take inspiration from the various studies that do exist and establish a standard based on scientific data. That standard is the one established by the World Health Organization.

Recommendation 3: That the federal government establish and respect the World Health Organization’s noise standard around major Canadian airports.

“In terms of noise standards, there is already a very good starting point, which is the WHO guidelines. They were just renewed, and they are based on the best available evidence. We know what we should be aiming for; we have that information.”

- David Kaiser, Direction de santé publique de Montréal

Once again, Dr. Kaiser has just highlighted the importance of policies based on the most recent data and the most rigorous studies on the subject. The World Health Organization’s weighted index gives us a very good idea of what we should be aiming for in Canada.

Finally, several witnesses mentioned the difficulties of mediation and discussion between airport authorities and citizen groups.

Recommendation 4: That the federal government study the specific issues faced by major airports located outside major centers, such as Saint-Hubert, and take the necessary measures to ensure good relations between airport authorities and neighboring communities

“Given that this airport's runway is located in a densely populated area, the residents took action. We should not forget that small aircraft such as the Cessna 150 and Cessna 152, which are not equipped with noise suppressors, use this airport. There is a large number of local flights and more than 90,000 itinerant flights. The total number of flights is close to 199,000. For some years, this airport has held the Canadian record for the number of small aircraft flights and local flights. Residents swung into action in 2009. It is impossible and unthinkable for residents to tolerate this level of aircraft movement. It is truly abusive and excessive. We met with the elected officials of our town councils and held a public consultation in 2010, in which members of the community were very involved. We received 69 briefs, 200 solutions and 49 recommendations. One year later, despite all of this, the residents had to apply to the class action assistance fund in order to launch a class action suit as the matter was not resolved.”

- Johanne Domingue, Comité antipollution des avions de Longueuil

For this reason, the situation at the Saint-Hubert airport is an example not to follow.