How long does it take for Transport Canada (TC) to issue Medical Certificates? I did my initial medical (first time in Canada) on May 08, 2021? There were no issues with the medical fitness. It is almost 05 months, I have not received anything. I called TC Canada almost every day for the last couple of days, no one picks up. Visited the office in Younge Street, Toronto a month back, no one was present there. Three weeks ago, they emailed me a file number and informed me that the file was in queue. Is it that busy? I was planning to get the licensing done (ICAO ATPL to TC ATPL) before January 2022 but I guess that may not be possible given the speed at which TC is working.
Thanks
M
Not speaking in an official capacity as I don't work for Transport Canada, but they are just a little busy dealing with all the recall paperwork from pilots at all the airlines. I am a check pilot though, so I do see the speed you're seeing. To give you some perspective on the issue, they are only now processing the check rides I did back in March because that's how busy they are.
Also, the airline I work for is bringing back in one month the same number of pilots we would hire in 6 months. That's one airline. Multiply that by the four other major airlines who laid off plus all the other corporate and regional airlines, and you have your answer why it is taking so long. TC is short-staffed at the best of times, so new applications have likely taken a back seat to the thousands of pilots returning to work. They all need medicals, check rides, security passes, and everything else that goes along with making sure they get back to work, so they naturally take priority over a new application. January 2022 is the next time my airline will be training the next batch of recalls and it sounds as though we'll be doing new hires for the pool candidates by the spring, so all those people will come ahead of a new applicant as well.
I'm not saying that TC can't process a new application quickly during normal times, but this is not a normal time and new applicants are likely on the wrong side of the priority list right now. I'd factor at least 3 to 6 months into your plans just for paperwork delays.