Canada moves on air travelers' rights

OTTAWA, June 12 (UPI) -- A Canadian opposition bill to create an air travel "bill of rights" for issues such as overbooking and delays has the support of the Conservative government.

The Globe and Mail newspaper said Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper's government supports a private member's bill submitted by Newfoundland and Labrador Member of Parliament Gerry Byrne.

Byrne said the bill is modeled after the European Union's legislation for consumer protection for whenever flights are canceled or luggage is lost.

Among the items Byrne's bill seeks is that airlines must inform travelers about their compensation entitlements for hotels or meals when a flight is canceled or delayed for three hours or more.

The bill has the backing of the opposition Liberals, the New Democratic Party and the Bloc Quebecois, the report said.