Air Canada has admitted to violating Canadian disability regulations and issued an apology to Rodney Hodgins, a wheelchair user from British Columbia. In August, Hodgins had to resort to using his upper body strength to pull himself down the airplane aisle while his wife, Deanna, held his legs. This was because no one from the airline’s ground personnel was available to assist them. The incident gained national and international attention, prompting federal Transport Minister Pablo Rodriguez to summon Air Canada representatives for a meeting with him and Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities Kamal Khera. Rodriguez emphasized the need for the airline to present a plan to address multiple incidents involving travelers with disabilities, stating that all Canadians should be treated with dignity and respect.
Hodgins, who suffers from spastic cerebral palsy and cannot walk, expressed in a previous interview that the flight attendant had informed him that he would have to disembark the plane by himself, an experience that left him feeling violated. Beenish Awan, a special assistance representative from Air Canada, sent a letter to Deanna Hodgins acknowledging that the incident was inconvenient and humiliating for both of them. The letter stated that Air Canada violated disability regulations and conveyed sincere apologies for the disappointment caused.
Air Canada has been under increased scrutiny regarding its treatment of disabled passengers. Canada’s chief accessibility officer, Stephanie Cadieux, revealed on social media in October that Air Canada had forgotten her wheelchair on a cross-Canada flight. In Parliament, Bonita Zarrillo, the NDP critic for disability inclusion, condemned Hodgins’ situation as degrading and a violation of human rights. Minister Rodriguez responded by emphasizing that Hodgins deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, and that Canadians expect more from Air Canada. Deanna Hodgins stated in an interview that she and her husband will continue to advocate for improvements.