SMS is not just for airlines and corporate aviation, as John David, Nav Canada v-p for safety and quality, explained. The private agency put safety oversight in place soon after privatization. David is chair of the joint Nav Canada-Transport Canada safety committee. “We believe safety planning is key, so we have a manual for SMS policy-making and planning, with a safety charter that all Nav Canada employees must buy into,” he said. A safety assurance process includes an emergency response plan, with unannounced drills at operating sites.

Nav Canada interacts with its employee union through a confidential reporting program, “not anonymous, but instead with absolute assurance of non-retaliation. This is one of the most robust systems anywhere in the world,” David claimed.