A well-deserved win

The NDP has again managed to push the Cons to back off of a boneheaded course of action - this time to do with the Cons' plan to reduce the number of flight attendants on Canadian airplanes:

Today, NDP Transport Critic Peter Julian, MP (Burnaby-New Westminster) applauded the overdue decision of the Conservative government to back off on lessening air safety standards by decreasing the number of flight attendants on Canadian flights.

“It’s high time that this government recognized that there can never be any compromise on the safety standards that threaten people’s lives on Canadian aircrafts. Flight attendants have saved many lives through their prompt action and dedication. Today’s development is a prime example of what an effective public campaign can accomplish when people band together to put pressure on the minority Conservative government,” stated Julian.

For the past year, Transportation Critic Peter Julian along with his colleagues from the NDP and members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), which represents flight attendants, have worked to prevent the government from cutting the number of flight attendants on Canadian planes.

“By reducing the number of required attendants you reduce passenger safety,” said Julian. “We will watch this Conservative government like a hawk to make sure they do not backtrack on this decision and once again put public airline safety in jeopardy."

It's only amazing that the Cons took so long (and offered so much resistance) before deciding that air safety is worth preserving. But for the moment, the adults have won another round...and with any luck, the Cons won't figure it's worth their while to try to push for reduced staff on Canadian flights again.