The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is the United Nations agency responsible for the safe and cooperative development of international civil aviation. The organization was founded in Chicago on December 7, 1944, with the signing of the Convention on International Civil Aviation (also known as the “Chicago Convention”). Canada was one of the original 52 member states, and since 1945 the organization has been headquartered in Montreal.
Canada has one of the largest civil aviation systems in the world, with flights to many international destinations. This means that decisions taken by ICAO can have a significant impact on Canadian civil aviation. Transport Canada is actively involved at ICAO to make sure Canada’s interests and positions are represented on the international stage.
One of the department’s most important roles at ICAO is providing technical experts to assist in the development of standards and recommended practices. Standards and recommended practices are put in place to support the safe and cooperative development of international civil aviation, and member states are expected to include ICAO’s requirements in their own laws and regulations. By helping develop the standards and recommended practices, Transport Canada representatives make sure the Canadian context is taken into consideration.
Departmental experts also participate in several ICAO panels, working groups and committees on a broad range of topics, including the Airworthiness Panel and the Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection. These specialists provide insight and expertise, and help find solutions for complex aviation issues.
Canada is also active in ICAO’s technical cooperation initiatives in the Asia-Pacific Region. Specifically, Canada participates in the Cooperative Development of Operational Safety and Continuing Airworthiness Programme (COSCAP). Transport Canada supports the program with both financial and in-kind contributions: the department makes financial contributions to the program each year, and Transport Canada employees lend their technical expertise to COSCAP — North Asia. The department also contributes at the management level by participating in the program’s steering committee.
The ICAO Assembly is composed of representatives from all member states and is ICAO’s sovereign body. It meets every three years to review the work of the organization, set policy and establish the budget for the coming years.
Transport Canada is proud to work with ICAO and is eager to promote the organization’s leading role in advancing aviation safety worldwide. For more information on ICAO, please visit http://www.icao.int/Pages/default.aspx/.
