The operator of Toronto Pearson airport is calling on the federal government to make changes amid “extreme wait times” being faced by passengers.
The Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) said in a statement that it is “extremely proud” of the way employees have “shown up” throughout the pandemic, but is aware of delays that both departing and arriving passengers are facing.
The GTAA suggested there are different factors contributing to longer than normal wait times, namely staffing shortages and ongoing COVID-19-related public health requirements.
The statement noted that there are three government checkpoints within Pearson itself: pre-departure screening, which is conducted by the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA); pre-clearance for U.S.-bound passengers, which is done by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (US-CBP); and customs clearance for passengers arriving from an international destination, which is done by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and has additional requirements established by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC).
“Wait times for departing passengers at security screening points are being negatively impacted by staffing challenges at CATSA,” the statement said.
“U.S.-bound travellers are impacted both by CATSA and USCBP staffing shortages. Moreover, international arriving passengers are facing bottlenecks and very lengthy delays in border processing—a direct result of legacy public health requirements in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“To prevent severe passenger congestion, airport and airline staff are forced to hold passengers on planes and deliberately meter the flow of arriving travellers into the customs hall for processing by CBSA, a process that we know and appreciate is incredibly frustrating for passengers.”
The GTAA said airports have been “ringing the proverbial alarm bells” about layoffs and the resulting labour shortage, comparative lack of investment in the sector, projects that have been deferred, and financial challenges faced as a result of the pandemic.
The GTAA wants to see the federal government make various changes to improve the situation.
The operator said it wants public health requirements at airports to either be streamlined or eliminated — including random testing upon arrival.
The statement also called on the feds to “invest in the necessary government agency staffing and technology to achieve globally competitive service level standards,” and work with the U.S. to ensure USCBP staffing returns to pre-pandemic levels.
“Recognizing aviation’s importance to the national economy and global perceptions of Canada, we need government’s immediate help to support air sector recovery so we can once again proudly welcome the world,” the GTAA said.
Government ‘has and will continue to support’ air sector: Transport Minister’s office
Global News contacted the CATSA, PHAC, and Transport Canada to see if they would provide a response to the GTAA statement.
In a statement sent to Global News, the Office of the Minister of Transport said the government “has and will continue to support” the air sector.
“We know that Canadians have been experiencing long lines and delays at airports across the country,” the statement said.
“As the air sector continues to recover, staffing remains an issue that the industry is working as quickly as possible to resolve….
“We are in touch with airports, and Transport Canada has been closely engaged with the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority to ensure actions are taken to resolve the delays as quickly as possible.”
The statement said Transport Minister Omar Alghabra is meeting with the CEO of CATSA next week to “further discuss” the issue.
4:13 Why travellers are facing major delays at Canada’s biggest airports
Why travellers are facing major delays at Canada’s biggest airports
“The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority is well aware of this issue, and have put in place additional measures to increase staffing levels in the coming weeks. We understand Canadians may be frustrated by this situation, and ask that they remain patient as we work hard with CATSA to resolve this issue,” the statement concluded.
COVID health requirements ‘continuously reviewed’: PHAC
Mark Johnson, a spokesperson for the PHAC, told Global News in an email that COVID-19-related restrictions and health requirements are “continuously reviewed.”
“In recent months, we have slowly and carefully started to reopen and restart activities as the virus changes, we are adjusting our strategy,” Johnson said.
Johnson said there are “various reasons” for delays at Pearson.
“As traveller volume increases, the Government of Canada has worked to build efficiencies and additional capacity at the border. However, travellers should still be prepared for potentially face longer wait times and delay,” the email said.
Johnson said international passengers are encouraged to complete ArriveCAN and pre-register for COVID-19 testing providers prior to their arrival in the country in order to speed up the process.
“Pre-registering for the test has no impact on selection for mandatory randomized testing,” Johnson said.
He said the government continues to look for possible efficiencies, “such as alternative locations for on-arrival testing of fully vaccinated travellers.”
The CATSA and has not yet responded to Global News’ request for comment.
On Monday, amid reports of long security lines at Pearson, CATSA suggested that several factors are to blame for the delays.
In a statement, the Crown corporation said that they are “not immune” to recruitment and retention challenges being experienced by the broader aviation industry.
“CATSA has been actively supporting its screening contractors … as they take additional measures to ensure effective recruitment and candidate development,” the agency said.
“Also, increasingly passengers are opting to travel with more carry on bags resulting in additional time required to process these bags at pre-board screening.”
TORONTO – Canada Goose Holdings Inc. says it has signed a deal that will result in the creation of its first eyewear collection.
The deal announced on Thursday by the Toronto-based luxury apparel company comes in the form of an exclusive, long-term global licensing agreement with Marchon Eyewear Inc.
The terms and value of the agreement were not disclosed, but Marchon produces eyewear for brands including Lacoste, Nike, Calvin Klein, Ferragamo, Longchamp and Zeiss.
Marchon plans to roll out both sunglasses and optical wear under the Canada Goose name next spring, starting in North America.
Canada Goose says the eyewear will be sold through optical retailers, department stores, Canada Goose shops and its website.
Canada Goose CEO Dani Reiss told The Canadian Press in August that he envisioned his company eventually expanding into eyewear and luggage.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 19, 2024.
Almost seven years since news broke of an alleged conspiracy to fix the price of packaged bread across Canada, the saga isn’t over: the Competition Bureau continues to investigate the companies that may have been involved, and two class-action lawsuits continue to work their way through the courts.
Here’s a timeline of key events in the bread price-fixing case.
Oct. 31, 2017: The Competition Bureau says it’s investigating allegations of bread price-fixing and that it was granted search warrants in the case. Several grocers confirm they are co-operating in the probe.
Dec. 19, 2017: Loblaw and George Weston say they participated in an “industry-wide price-fixing arrangement” to raise the price of packaged bread. The companies say they have been co-operating in the Competition Bureau’s investigation since March 2015, when they self-reported to the bureau upon discovering anti-competitive behaviour, and are receiving immunity from prosecution. They announce they are offering $25 gift cards to customers amid the ongoing investigation into alleged bread price-fixing.
Jan. 31, 2018: In court documents, the Competition Bureau says at least $1.50 was added to the price of a loaf of bread between about 2001 and 2016.
Dec. 20, 2019: A class-action lawsuit in a Quebec court against multiple grocers and food companies is certified against a number of companies allegedly involved in bread price-fixing, including Loblaw, George Weston, Metro, Sobeys, Walmart Canada, Canada Bread and Giant Tiger (which have all denied involvement, except for Loblaw and George Weston, which later settled with the plaintiffs).
Dec. 31, 2021: A class-action lawsuit in an Ontario court covering all Canadian residents except those in Quebec who bought packaged bread from a company named in the suit is certified against roughly the same group of companies.
June 21, 2023: Bakery giant Canada Bread Co. is fined $50 million after pleading guilty to four counts of price-fixing under the Competition Act as part of the Competition Bureau’s ongoing investigation.
Oct. 25 2023: Canada Bread files a statement of defence in the Ontario class action denying participating in the alleged conspiracy and saying any anti-competitive behaviour it participated in was at the direction and to the benefit of its then-majority owner Maple Leaf Foods, which is not a defendant in the case (neither is its current owner Grupo Bimbo). Maple Leaf calls Canada Bread’s accusations “baseless.”
Dec. 20, 2023: Metro files new documents in the Ontario class action accusing Loblaw and its parent company George Weston of conspiring to implicate it in the alleged scheme, denying involvement. Sobeys has made a similar claim. The two companies deny the allegations.
July 25, 2024: Loblaw and George Weston say they agreed to pay a combined $500 million to settle both the Ontario and Quebec class-action lawsuits. Loblaw’s share of the settlement includes a $96-million credit for the gift cards it gave out years earlier.
Sept. 12, 2024: Canada Bread files new documents in Ontario court as part of the class action, claiming Maple Leaf used it as a “shield” to avoid liability in the alleged scheme. Maple Leaf was a majority shareholder of Canada Bread until 2014, and the company claims it’s liable for any price-fixing activity. Maple Leaf refutes the claims.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 19, 2024.
Companies in this story: (TSX:L, TSX:MFI, TSX:MRU, TSX:EMP.A, TSX:WN)
TORONTO – TD Bank Group, which is mired in a money laundering scandal in the U.S., says chief executive Bharat Masrani will retire next year.
Masrani, who will retire officially on April 10, 2025, says the bank’s, “anti-money laundering challenges,” took place on his watch and he takes full responsibility.
The bank named Raymond Chun, TD’s group head, Canadian personal banking, as his successor.
As part of a transition plan, Chun will become chief operating officer on Nov. 1 before taking over the top job when Masrani steps down at the bank’s annual meeting next year.
TD also announced that Riaz Ahmed, group head, wholesale banking and president and CEO of TD Securities, will retire at the end of January 2025.
TD has taken billions in charges related to ongoing U.S. investigations into the failure of its anti-money laundering program.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 19, 2024.
