The Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) has imposed a fine of $97,500 on Air Canada for multiple violations of the Accessible Transportation for Persons with Disabilities Regulations. The penalty stems from an incident on August 30 when Rodney Hodgins, a Prince George, B.C., resident with spastic cerebral palsy who uses a motorized wheelchair, was forced to drag himself off a plane in Las Vegas due to a lack of assistance.
According to the CTA, Air Canada failed to provide necessary aid to Hodgins during disembarkation and neglected to inquire about his needs while he waited in the terminal, resulting in a violation of accessibility regulations. The incident, which Hodgins described as “dehumanizing,” left him in pain for several days.
Air Canada has 30 days to request a review before the Transportation Appeal Tribunal of Canada.
This is not the first time Air Canada has faced penalties for accessibility-related violations. The CTA website also indicates a $52,500 fine imposed on the airline in October 2023 for failing to allow a person with a disability to board ahead of other passengers and for not promptly returning a mobility aid upon arrival.
The Las Vegas incident came to the CTA’s attention following a CBC News story, which prompted an investigation. After reports of another passenger being dropped by Air Canada crew members, the airline was summoned to Ottawa for a meeting with the Minister of Transportation. In response, Air Canada CEO Michael Rousseau issued an apology on November 9, pledging internal changes to enhance treatment of passengers with disabilities.
Air Canada has committed to fast-tracking updates to the boarding process, revising the storage of mobility aids like wheelchairs, and enhancing training procedures for thousands of employees. The airline also plans to hire a new senior position to oversee the effective implementation of these changes.
