Representatives Appear before Senate Transportation and Communications Committee

 Toronto, ON April 5, 2018 

On March 20, 2018, Canadian Federation of Musicians (CFM the Canadian National office of the AFM) continued to lobby the Parliament of Canada to include the carriage of musical instruments as part of the Passenger Rights Proposals on Bill C-49: The Transportation Modernization Act. Allistair Elliott, International Representative, Canadian Federation of Musicians, and Francine Schutzman, President, Musicians' Association of Ottawa-Gatineau (Local 180 of the AFM), appeared before the Transportation and Communications Committee of the Senate of Canada. Through the lobbying efforts of the CFM, Bill C-49: The Transportation Modernization Act contains language mandating ALL Canadian airlines to implement a fair policy for musicians flying with their instruments.  The Bill has been passed through the House and, if passed by Senate, will align Canadian regulations with those already in place in the U.S. CFM anticipates this Bill will receive Royal Ascent before June 2018. 

For a period of three years, CFM has been working on legislation to include musical instruments in Passenger Rights. Transport Canada will be tasked with preparing regulations to accompany the legislation.  The process is expected to take the remainder of 2018, culminating with Canadian airlines implementing musical instrument friendly policy by early 2019.

"It is critical that as professional musicians, we are able to get to the show, audition, rehearsal or concert hall without fear of our instruments not making the flight.  Clear consistent regulations enacted by a policy for musicians travelling on airlines that hold those airlines accountable is a victory, but we are committed to working with The Canadian Transport Agency on getting this Bill passed"" said Allistair Elliott, Representative for Canada for the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada.

"I was honoured to join Allistair Elliott for this all-important presentation on behalf of our 17,000 CFM musicians.  We need industry-wide, consistent guidelines for traveling with instruments, and it is our hope that the passage of law C49 will help us achieve this aim" added Francine Schutzman.

Building on AFM Canada's long and successful legacy, CFM will continue furthering the particular interests and needs of professional musicians who earn their living in this country. Everyday CFM helps thousands of musicians with any number of issues related to the recording and performing of their craft. The American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada draws on the experience and strength of more than 80,000 musicians, with over 17,000 active members in Canada alone. Proudly celebrating 40 remarkable years of service, CFM is uniquely positioned to address Canadian issues and provides vital resources for Canadian musicians, at any stage in their careers, on any platform, from live performance to recorded and film scoring.  

For more information please visit us at www.cfmusicians.org׀ CFM on twitter׀ CFM on Facebook.

MEDIA CONTACT: 

Victoria Lord, VLPR Inc.

T: 1-416-484-9047 | E: victoria@vlpr.com