History Of BAR Canada

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INCORPORATED IN OTTAWA MARCH 2008

BAR CANADA was original founded in 1975 as AARC and incorporated in 1978 as a non-profit organization under federal statute. Recognition is given to the following European carriers operating in Canada at the time in alphabetical order:

  • Air France
  • Alitalia
  • Iberia
  • KLM
  • SAS

for having taken the initiative and dedicated their subsequent time and efforts towards the foundation of the Association in 1978 at Montreal.
They were soon joined by many other carriers, both serving in Canada and maintaining sales offices here. Carriers from Asia/Pacific started to join this group in the early 90ies.

The purpose of the Association, other than furthering international goodwill, is to assist members of the airline industry in Canada in their dealings with members of both Federal and Local Government Departments and to protect the interests of Airlines in Canada with regards to matters ranging from immigration to taxation, as well as airport administration and regulations concerning environmental matters of interest to carriers operating to/from Canada or having sales offices in Canada.

Past achievements and activities

The AARC was successful in dealing with problems concerning taxation, fuel import taxes, and airport problems, city-airport transportation schedules, to refund carriers millions of dollars on fuel illegally collected by the Federal Government, in dealing with Revenue Canada taxation on commissions paid to travel agents and the actual problem of detention cost for passengers entering Canada under refugee status or without documents.

The court case against the Quebec Government netted the carriers $30.000.000

The AARC was also instrumental in having the Immigration Act revised and amended in Parliament with the insertion of the very important article limiting the carriers responsibility for detention costs of refugees, undocumented passengers or illegal immigrants, limited to 72 hours, while before it was unlimited.

In the process carriers where able to save almost $2.000.000 plus interest, when an agreement was reached with the Justice Department and the Treasury Board regarding past billings of detention costs.

In 2004, under the chairmanship of Air France a decision was taken to hire the Public relations company TEMPLE SCOTT ASSOCIATES in conjunction with IATA, ATAC and ATA to combat the high federal rents and the monopolistic system in Toronto which was the only airport in the world that did not cut back on expenses after 9/11

In November of 2006 the Association opted out of further financial support for the campaign due to the exhaustion of funds. The campaign was continued by IATA and ATAC and with the otherwise full support of BAR CANADA.

In 2005 a message was delivered to the Chairman of the Standing Committee on Transport supported by IATA and ATAC calling for:

  • immediate reduction and rapid elimination of airport rent;
  • Improved corporate governance for airport authorities;
  • Improved oversight and right of appeal on airport fee settings.

TSA, a full-service public relations firm was brought in to assist in a media campaign to create public awareness regarding the unacceptable cost increases at Pearson Intl Airport.

A press conference was held in Toronto regarding the spiralling cost of airport charges

The chairman went to Ottawa for talks with various Gov’t officials. Member Airlines attended transportation meetings in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa and Vancouver.

In March,2006 Transport Canada gave a presentation on the subject of automated data collection.

The Aviation Law Practice Group gave a presentation regarding changes in the liability from previous conventions.

In June of 2006 IATA made a presentation regarding BSP starting with a general overview of significant changes introduced by Mr. Bisignani over the last 3 years.

In March 2007 TSA embarked on the “Orange Campaign” in T3 at Toronto Airport whereby employees were wearing orange buttons demonstrating that airlines are paying too much rent.

In May the Calgary airport authorities gave a presentation regarding the superb suitability of the facilities provided. The presentation was supported by Tourism Calgary.