Following the cancellation of hundreds of flights at Canadian airports last summer and over the past holiday season, the federal government has proposed amendments to the Transportation Act to make traveler compensation mandatory. Speaking at a press briefing on Monday, Transport Minister Omar Alghabra announced that these changes, which are contained in the Budget Implementation Bill C-47, will take effect upon its adoption. Once in place, these measures will strengthen air passenger protection and the complaints process. Among the new changes, offsetting would be the default option, the minister pointed out. Thus, in addition to benefiting from a refund, most air passengers will also be entitled to financial compensation. According to the Minister, these legislative changes will allow the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) to increase the responsibility of air carriers for the treatment of passengers and their baggage in the event of unexpected flight cancellations, long delays or other disturbances. With MAP