Commonwealth_ Canada_ Air Canada issued a stark warning on Thursday, urging the federal government to intervene and block a potential pilot strike that could significantly disrupt air travel for over 110,000 passengers daily. The company emphasized the need for binding arbitration to resolve stalled negotiations with the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), which represents 5,200 pilots at Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge. With the deadline for an agreement looming, the airline stressed the economic ripple effects a strike would have, disrupting both domestic and international travel connections.
Air Canada’s concerns were echoed by business leaders, including Candace Laing, president of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, and Goldy Hyder, CEO of the Business Council of Canada, who called for government intervention to avoid a shutdown. Hyder highlighted that a labor disruption at Air Canada would affect the broader economy, given the critical role air travel plays in commerce and logistics. The looming strike comes just weeks after the federal government ended a railway work stoppage through binding arbitration, demonstrating its willingness to step in when major transportation disruptions occur.
However, government intervention is not supported by all political parties. New Democratic Party (NDP) Leader Jagmeet Singh stated on Thursday that his party would oppose any back-to-work legislation, accusing the federal government of interfering with workers’ rights. Singh reaffirmed the NDP’s position, saying that they would stand against any government efforts to force pilots back to work. Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre also expressed support for the pilots, urging Air Canada to negotiate fairly and resist corporate greed. He emphasized that pilots deserve fair compensation, especially as the airline has posted record profits.
Labour Minister Steve MacKinnon is involved in the negotiations, meeting with both Air Canada and the pilots’ union in Toronto. While MacKinnon expressed optimism that a deal could still be reached, he stressed the importance of continuing negotiations to avoid a strike. “There’s no reason why these parties can’t work together and get a deal done. Canadians are counting on them,” he wrote on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
Air Canada’s negotiations with ALPA have been ongoing for over a year without resolution. The airline faces what it describes as “unreasonable wage demands” from the pilots, while the union argues that the company’s record profits justify higher compensation.
Air Canada’s management has already signaled that in the event of a strike notice, it will start winding down operations gradually, leading to widespread cancellations beginning as early as Sunday. Full shutdowns could occur by Wednesday, potentially stopping around 670 flights daily. Although Air Canada Express would remain operational, the disruptions to Air Canada’s global network would severely impact tens of thousands of passengers, many of whom are anxiously waiting to see if their travel plans will be affected.
Michael Rousseau, Air Canada’s president and CEO, stated that the airline is doing everything possible to mitigate the impact but warned that even a brief work stoppage could have prolonged consequences due to the complexity of operating a global airline. He reiterated Air Canada’s commitment to negotiating a settlement but called on the federal government to be ready to intervene if talks collapse, to prevent massive disruptions to air travel.
For passengers, the uncertainty is unsettling. Some, like Laurie Best, who flew from Alberta to Newfoundland to visit family, expressed concern over how they would return if the strike proceeded. With the possibility of a strike growing closer, passengers and businesses alike are bracing for potential widespread disruptions to Canada’s transportation network.
As the deadline approaches, many are left wondering whether the federal government will again step in, as it did with the railway strike, or if the two sides can reach an agreement without external intervention.