aterpster, re "
didn't have GPS" - yes, that's correct. To be clear, the NTSB does not cite the absence of GPS as a primary cause:
From the Wiki:
In a September 25, 2018 board meeting, the NTSB cited as
probable cause the pilots mistaking taxiway C for runway 28R due to overlooking the closure of runway 28L in the
NOTAM report. Contributing factors included not taking advantage of the ILS, which was not in use by the flight crew, in the
flight management system (FMS) visual approach; and
pilot fatigue. The crew's
body clock was at the Toronto 03:00
Eastern Time: the first officer had no significant rest for 12 h, and the captain for 19 h – he would not have been able to fly under US pilot fatigue rules.
Transport Canada planned to bring its
pilot rest rules in line with international standards later in 2018.
[26] New regulations were announced in December 2018, closer to international standards but criticized as substandard by the Air Canada Pilots Association.
[27]
From the
NTSB Report, (footnote):
(a) Honeywell’s Mark V and Mark VII EGPWS Pilot’s Guide indicated that RAAS required a GPS source. At
the time of the incident, Air Canada operated 42 A320-200 airplanes, some of which were equipped with a GPS; the
incident airplane was not equipped with a GPS. A June 2018 e-mail from Air Canada to the NTSB indicated that all
of the airplanes in the company’s A320-200 fleet had been equipped with a GPS. (b) Honeywell also offered another
optional feature, the SmartRunway system, which was designed to alert flight crews to an impending taxiway landing
as well as an impending taxiway takeoff.
There's plenty to say about Canada's flight time & duty regulations, but not here. regarding the original poster's question, I believe most A320's were initially delivered without GPS, (~1988, on).