Transport Canada Privacy Declaration
Why You Should be Concerned!
UPDATE April 14:
As was shared back in January, MP Dan Albas (CPC Transport Critic) has been very collaborative, assisting us in getting a voice in Ottawa. He filed an Order Paper question, seeking clarity on key matters regarding this Privacy Notice and Declaration. An Order Paper question is an expedited means forcing a government response to direct questions, with factual, detailed replies.
We got the replies today and they are pasted them below. Regarding dates, remember, this new PND was rolled out December 9th (2025). This means they didn't even tell CARAC (never mind consult) until after the changes were implemented.
There are major implications for all of us, given what seems like a lack of respect for process, consultation and privacy at Transport Canada.
Transport Canada Order Paper Questions:
Reply by: the Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Name of Signatory: Mike Kelloway
(a) what consultations, if any, did Transport Canada conduct with the (i) public, (ii) aviation stakeholders, (iii) medical examiners, (iv) pilot associations, (v) other relevant parties, prior to its implementation?
Transport Canada did not conduct external consultations for this change as the amendments were considered administrative in nature and intended to ensure compliance with Privacy legislation and further align with the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat’s Directive on Privacy Practices. The changes did not modify the Minister of Transport’s regulatory authority to collect medical information for aviation medical certification, nor did they alter how personal information is handled.
(b) what are the details of each consultation in (a) including (i) the date, (ii) who was consulted, (iii) the type (in-person meetings, emailed survey, etc.), (iv) feedback received, (v) how the feedback was incorporated into the final version of the form, if applicable?
Although no formal consultations took place, Transport Canada received feedback from a variety of industry associations and individuals in response to the notification emails sent to the Canadian Aviation Regulation Advisory Council, including correspondence with Transport Canada Civil Aviation from the Air Line Pilots Association and Canadian Air Traffic Control Association. Feedback and suggestions were considered and implemented as part of the amended version of the form released in January 2026.
(c) how do the changes to this form align with standard procedures under the Privacy Act and Canadian Aviation Regulations for consulting on changes affecting personal information handling?
There are no standard procedures in the Privacy Act or the Canadian Aviation Regulations for consulting on changes affecting personal information handling. A Privacy Impact Assessment is currently underway as part of the standard process for any program activity that collects and uses personal information. Privacy Impact Assessments are undertaken periodically to review and assess procedures related to the handling of personal information to ensure that the program aligns with requirements of the Privacy Act .
(d) how and when did Transport Canada first inform the Canadian Aviation Regulation Advisory Council about the new forms?
Transport Canada issued emails to the Canadian Aviation Regulation Advisory Council membership on December 12, 2025, January 19, 2026, and February 18, 2026. The last email informed members of the Canadian Aviation Regulation Advisory Council that Transport Canada had re-issued a simplified Privacy Notice and separate Regulatory Offence Notice. All previous signed forms remain valid and there are no disadvantages if an applicant signed one of the previous versions.
(e) what response was received from the council?
No response was received on behalf of the Council.
(f) was the Privacy Commissioner consulted about these changes, including the scope of information requested, and, if so, when?
The Privacy Commissioner was not consulted on these changes. However, internal discussions with Transport Canada Access to Information and Privacy occurred prior to the release.
Additionally, on March 5, 2026, Transport Canada met with the Office of Privacy Commissioner to discuss the revisions made to the form and no further actions were deemed necessary. A Privacy Impact Assessment is currently underway as part of the standard process for any program activity that collects and uses personal information. Privacy Impact Assessments are undertaken periodically to review and assess the procedures related to the handling of personal information to ensure that the program aligns with requirements of the Privacy Act .
(g) if the Privacy Commissioner was not consulted, what assessment did Transport Canada do on the impact of these changes on privacy rights?
The revisions were made to further align with the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat’s Directive on Privacy Practices, implemented in October 2024, and to ensure consistency with sections 4 to 8 of the Privacy Act .
UPDATE Wednesday morning, February 18:
We were just sent the email below from CARAC, which appears to be good news! It looks like they've removed the most offensive aspect (the Declaration), rescinded the privacy overreach ('third parties' and 'including but not limited to' especially).
UPDATE Thursday evening, February 19:
We've had numerous reports from pilots doing medicals the past couple days that the form is no longer required.
For those who already signed, we do not recommend simply taking TC at their word below that "no further action" is needed on your part. We recommend getting something formal, in writing (perhaps with a lawyer's input), to ensure your privacy declaration is fully and formally rescinded. If you're ALPA rep'd, demand assistance from ALPA on this, addresses here.
_________
Notice to CARAC members,
Transport Canada (TC) is re-issuing a simplified Privacy Notice and separate Regulatory Offence Notice. These documents will replace the recently issued Privacy Notice and Declaration (26-0886E/F, V2).
Privacy Notice: https://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Corp-Serv-Gen/5/forms-formulaires/download/26-0886_BO_PX
Regulatory Offence Notice: https://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Corp-Serv-Gen/5/forms-formulaires/download/26-0889_BO_PX
TC is returning to the previous practice of having Civil Aviation Medical Examiners provide these notices to applicants prior to starting the aviation medical examination, but with no requirement for signature by the applicants. TC has removed the elements of the previous Privacy Notice and Declaration that caused confusion and concern.
Any applicant or medical certificate holder who signed a previous version of the Privacy Notice and Declaration, as of 9 December 2025, will not be affected, nor is any further action needed on their part. Any new applicants who submitted an application for medical certification but did not sign the Privacy Notice and Declaration as of 9 December 2025, will be contacted individually to confirm whether they wish to proceed with their application.
Throughout this process, there have been no changes to the Minister’s authority to collect information or applicant obligations to provide information for aviation medical certification. It is still necessary for applicants to read and understand the privacy notice to proceed with the medical certification process.
Thank you for your patience as we implement this process update.
Sincerely,
Canadian Aviation Regulation Advisory Council
Transport Canada / Government of Canada
Email: TC.CARConsultations-RACConsultations.TC@tc.gc.ca
You have received this email because you have subscribed to CARAC notices using the CARAC website. You can always unsubscribe from our mailing list by sending us an email at TC.CARConsultations-RACConsultations.TC@tc.gc.ca. An email confirming the withdrawal of your email address will be sent to you afterwards.
December 9th, 2025, most Canadian pilots were advised of a document that needed to be signed, effective the very next day. This was a "Privacy Notice and Declaration for Medical Examinations". This also affects Air Traffic Controllers.
Failure to sign means your license is medically invalidated, costing these professionals their ability to fly or control any airplane in Canada (i.e. career loss).
That jarring fact, and closer reading of this new Privacy Notice and Declaration text (along with the "no notice" nature) immediately raised serious concerns with pilots and the largest pilot union in North America, ALPA.
For comparison, this is the privacy release signed in the past: on the CAME Exam report.
This website is meant to help every pilot and controller in Canada make an informed decision about a coercive demand which failed to respect TC's own standards for regulatory and policy changes.
Note: TC issued a new form. You can read the update on our "Update" page here.
What You Need to Know
Why be so "uptight" about all this?
Read professional pilot Kyle's detailed account of his loss of license and career. He spent an extraordinary, unacceptable amount of time (years) patiently navigating Transport's feckless indifference, legendary delays, and inexplicable dismissals. This all occurred while he was deemed fit by multiple specialists.
We've heard many TC stories, but this is one of the worst. The full article is here.
He closes his thoughtful, well-written piece with this:
In December 2025—1,107 days after my original application—Transport Canada issued its final determination: Unfit for any medical certificate, restricted or otherwise.
This decision came 366 days after the most recent medical review had been requested.