Air Canada and Proper Documentation

Canadian authorities: These cases may involve people who arrive with proper documentation but are barred by Canadian authorities because they have a criminal record — something the airline would have no way of knowing — or their refugee claim is denied. "In extreme cases, should the passenger become ill and be hospitalized before they leave Canada, carriers are even expected to pick up the medical bills," Air Canada says in its submission to the review of the Canada Transportation Act, according to Hamilton Spectator. The legislative review is looking at the state of the national transportation system, including the aviation sector competitiveness, service to Canadians and ability to attract visitors. There are "numerous scenarios" in which air carriers must pay the tab for returning such inadmissible arrivals to their home country, Air Canada says in a submission to a federal review panel studying transportation policy. A panel led by former cabinet minister David Emerson is expected to deliver a report soon. In some cases, Air Canada has had to lease private jets to repatriate particularly unco-operative cases." Any relationship that once existed between the passenger and the airline — in many cases decades ago with a predecessor company — is long lost, says Air Canada. "The passenger is either unwilling or unable to pay. In some cases, because of the frequently drawn-out nature of the refugee claims process, passengers may have lived in Canada for many years, and any return ticket they might have once had is no longer valid, Air Canada says. "These passengers are often violently opposed to leaving Canada and there are significant security costs involved in these deportations, all of which are borne by the airline. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.