The NDP calls dibs on aiding air passengers

With it being suggested that the Harper government might be planning to include an air passenger bill of rights in its Throne Speech, the NDP is asserting its dibs on the idea and planning to introduce a new version of its own proposal this fall.

As I noted yesterday, the Conservatives voted against the most recent proposal for a passenger bill of rights in March and Kady O’Malley notes that the Conservatives also voted with the Bloc Quebecois to defeat a previous proposal.

Back in 2008, Liberal MP Gerry Byrne put forward a non-binding motion calling for an air passenger bill of rights and that motion passed the House unanimously, but only after an official in the office of the foreign affairs minister had encouraged airlines to help stop it.