As a result of their deliberations committees may make recommendations which they include in their reports for the consideration of the House of Commons or the Government. Recommendations related to this study are listed below.

Recommendation 1 — Consideration of Noise Impacts

That Transport Canada recommend that NAV CANADA, airport authorities and airlines carefully consider noise impacts in their operational decisions, policies and equipment-purchasing decisions.

Recommendation 2 — Noise Management Committees

That Transport Canada produce detailed guidelines for airport noise management committees to ensure greater transparency and enhanced public participation in, as well as notification of, airport authority decisions that may involve significant operational changes at major Canadian airports affecting flights paths or any other significant decisions that could increase noise pollution.

Recommendation 3 – Rotation of Runways

That Transport Canada investigate the potential benefits of airports rotating the use of their runways in a more equitable way, where possible in order to better manage noise.

Recommendation 4 – Continuous Descent Approaches 

That Transport Canada use tools at its disposal to ensure that airlines use continuous descent approaches as much as possible in order to reduce aircraft noise.

Recommendation 5 – Implementation of Helios Recommendations

That Transport Canada work with airport authorities and NAV CANADA to implement any outstanding recommendations stemming from the Helios study as soon as possible without compromising on safety; and that airport authorities and NAV CANADA be required to provide regular updates on their progress in implementation.

Recommendation 6 – Calgary International Airport

That Transport Canada and NAV CANADA study the implications of shifting the west side approach to Calgary International Airport and its new runway further west so that aircraft noise levels impact a smaller population outside the city’s western boundary than the current route directly over the city.

Recommendation 7 — Noise Exposure Forecast and Noise Measurement Review

That Transport Canada support efforts to modernize outdated noise metrics. These efforts should include the review of Canada’s Noise Exposure Forecast model to ensure that it is in keeping with the most recent scientific evidence and international norms on noise measurement and human perception of noise.

Recommendation 8 — Data Transparency

That Transport Canada recognize the importance of data transparency in building public acceptance for transportation infrastructure by collecting more data on noise in order to introduce evidence-based noise mitigation measures. Furthermore, that Transport Canada publicly release the data it has compiled including Noise Exposure Forecast contour maps and data on noise violations including sanctions imposed. This data should be made available to the public on its website.

Recommendation 9 – World Health Organization Standards

That Transport Canada assess how noise exposure forecasts are conducted and consider implementing and complying with the World Health Organization standard on noise around large Canadian airports.

Recommendation 10 – Collaboration with Independent Advisory Bodies

That Transport Canada direct NAV CANADA and airport authorities to collaborate on a regular basis with independent advisory bodies that include community representatives and to share information with such bodies in a transparent manner. The membership of such bodies should include representatives from Transport Canada, NAV CANADA, airport authorities, Health Canada and citizens.

Recommendation 11 — Aircraft Noise Ombudsperson

That the Government of Canada consider the creation of an independent ombudsperson modelled after those in other countries to review and adjudicate aircraft noise complaints that are not able to be resolved in the existing airport noise management committee structure.

Recommendation 12 — Cooperation with Municipal, Provincial and Territorial Health Authorities

That the Government of Canada work in cooperation with municipal, provincial and territorial health authorities to:

• a. support research to better understand the impact of aircraft noise-related annoyance on human health, including location-specific epidemiological studies as well as examining mitigation measures for individuals who are sensitive to noise disturbances; and
• b. issue recommendations and guidelines, based on Canadian data and best practices in other jurisdictions, on effective models to manage and mitigate noise impacts on communities.

Recommendation 13 — Foreign Aircraft Operations

That NAV CANADA and Transport Canada collaborate with airport authorities and other stakeholders to clarify the oversight of international aircraft passing through Canadian airspace.

Recommendation 14 — Night Flight Policy Review

That Transport Canada review its policy on night flights at Canadian airports to ensure that its current practice offers the best balance between economic benefits and the wellbeing of residents.

Recommendation 15 — Reducing noise at the source

That Transport Canada recommend that Canadian airlines install noise-reducing equipment as soon as possible as it becomes available, and that airlines provide regular updates on progress and timelines associated with the installation of such equipment. Furthermore, that Transport Canada, in continuing to monitor airlines’ progress along these timelines, consider sanctions for those that continue to operate unmodified aircraft.

Recommendation 16 — Land-use planning

That Transport Canada encourage and work with airport authorities and municipalities to integrate long-term land use planning when developing local official plans and related zoning.