The Politics of Canada’s Airlines: From Diefenbaker to Mulroney

Few industries in Canada have developed as quickly, or under as much government control, as air transport. It has been dominated by two large corporations, one public, one private, but also includes a number of smaller firms. Regulated by federal government, it has deeply involved regional and municipal interests too. Garth Stevenson provides a comprehensive analysis of recent policy in domestic air transport, examining the technological and social changes that have influenced policy, and how policy has in turn contributed to those changes.

Beginning with a general overview of the industry, Stevenson considers its geographical, technical, legislative, and institutional background. He then presents seven case studies, each highlighting a specific issue in domestic air policy: the relationship between the two major carriers; the evolution and application of regional air policy in two Quebec-based airlines; the influence of trends towards competition and deregulation, and the development of local and STOL carriers. From these studies emerges a detailed picture of domestic air policy under a series of governments over the past twenty-five years.