General aviation groups are opposing a measure that would give the Canadian transport minister greater authority to block airport development or improvement projects if such a move is believed in the “best public interest.” The measure, part of a larger budget bill before the Canadian Parliament, stems from an effort to increase public consultation on new airport projects, according to the Canadian Owners and Pilots Association (COPA).

But COPA president and CEO Kevin Psutka said the measure “has nothing to do with what was anticipated.” He recently told Canada’s Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications that COPA is not opposed to consultation, but “the one-sided nature of the…amendment to prohibit [airports] without a similar ability to prohibit incompatible activities in the vicinity of [airports] is unbalanced and simply unfair.” The provision could jeopardize development of facilities in remote locations, he contended.

Canadian Business Aviation Association president and CEO Rudy Toering expressed similar concerns in a letter to key Canadian Parliament members. “The increased powers will apply to aerodrome build and improvements, expansion with no consultation with the aviation sector, while the community around the airport can oppose at will and have rights to consultation,” he said.