Hi Jet Jockey,
For the last part, have you read the Transport Canada exemption cited previously?
EXEMPTION FROM PARAGRAPH 602.128(2)(b) OF THE CANADIAN AVIATION REGULATIONS - Transport Canada
This CAR exemption allows descent below MDA during a missed approach incorporating "stabilized constant descent angle" (Canada's term for CDFA) . The exemption is valid for qualified operators until April 30, 2015.
Under this exemption, you don't need to add "50 feet" to the MDA (aka Derived Decision Altitude -- DDA)
unless:
- there is a failure of an aircraft system;
- the aircraft is above normal maximum landing weight;
- the aircraft landing weight is limited by aborted landing climb performance; or
- height loss could be expected to be larger than normal.
The main text of the exemption is quoted below:
The purpose of this exemption is to permit pilots-in-command of IFR aircraft operated by holders of an air operator certificate or a temporary private operator certificate to descend below the minimum descent altitude (MDA), when conducting a non-precision approach, even if the required visual reference necessary to continue the approach to land has not been established. This exemption is required in order to accommodate the altitude loss below MDA that will likely occur during a missed approach, following a stabilized constant descent angle (SCDA) non-precision approach.
The FAA has a similar policy as mentioned previously.