Air Canada
- Details
- Published on Monday, 14 December 2015 15:15
- Written by editor
PAOV – There's a new petition taking off on Change.org, and we think you might be interested in signing it.
Cette pétition prend de l'ampleur sur Change.org, souhaitez-vous la signer? Elle demande qu'Air Canada imite WestJet et permette aux animaux d'assistance d'accompagner les personnes qui en ont besoin, comme cette vétérane canadienne souffrant d'anxiété sévère qui a lancé la pétition.
CEO of Air Canada Calin Rovinescu: Air Canada: Let Us Fly!
Kate Skywalker Kentville, Canada
Sign Kate's petition
I’m a proud veteran who served with the Canadian Armed Forces for almost 10 years. I was recently diagnosed with clinical depression and severe anxiety due to my service. I was given a medical discharge and my condition is acknowledged by Veterans Affairs Canada. Since leaving the military, my anxiety is triggered being in crowds or while traveling. I’ve coped with the help of my cat Saphira.
Saphira isn’t my pet - she’s an emotional support animal (ESA). ESAs provide therapeutic support to people with psychiatric disabilities. Unfortunately, on my way to visit my parents in Halifax, Air Canada tried to stop Saphira from travelling with me, despite having a doctor's letter, medication and registration papers proving she is an ESA.
Had I been travelling to the United States, Air Canada would’ve had no choice. On flights to the U.S. they must follow American laws that require airlines to accommodate ESAs. But they don’t have to accommodate them on non-U.S. flights. What’s more, our other major airline WestJet respects the health of their passengers and accommodates ESAs on all flights.
If Air Canada doesn't recognize my ESA as a legitimate benefit to my mental illness, then they don’t recognized my mental illness as legitimate medical condition because it cannot be seen. That's why I’m fighting back -- so Air Canada will change the policy and stop violating the human rights of people with mental illnesses that need the assistance of an ESA. But I need help to push for change.
After hearing my story, the CBC contacted Air Canada, who confirmed that their policy doesn’t accommodate ESAs even though Canadian Transportation Agency guidelines state that assistance animals perform tasks to help persons with “mental health disabilities.” That Air Canada’s policy applies to animals helping people with physical disabilities, but not to those helping people like me, is nothing short of discriminatory.
While Canadian society is working to end the stigma tied to mental illness, Air Canada's policy is perpetuating it. More and more veterans are being diagnosed with anxiety and depression, and many have emotional support animals. Whether physical or mental -- a medical disability must be accommodated -- it’s a human right.
That day at the airport I didn’t give up - I pushed until the Air Canada agent allowed Saphira to travel with me as an ESA. But what happens next time - not just to me, but to others who share the same challenges? It’s time for Air Canada to change their discriminatory treatment of people with mental health disabilities. I need your support to send them a strong message. Please take a stand with me and sign my petition to Air Canada.
Photo credit CBC
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