Pierre Poilievre backs Air Canada pilots' right to a fair deal as flight suspensions approach
Pierre Poilievre, leader of Canada’s Conservative Party, has voiced support for Air Canada pilots amid a labour dispute, as reported by Financial Post.
As the airline prepares to suspend flights ahead of a possible strike, Poilievre urged Air Canada to negotiate fairly with the union, which represents over 5,000 pilots.
If no deal is reached by Sunday, the pilots could issue a 72-hour strike notice, and the airline will progressively cancel flights, leading to a complete shutdown by September 18.
“I would call on Air Canada to negotiate in good faith with the pilots,” Poilievre told reporters. “We stand with the pilots and their right to fight for a fair deal, good wages.”
This potential strike adds to the Trudeau government’s ongoing labour issues. Last month, a tribunal ordered locked-out rail workers back to work following a government request, after a one-day strike disrupted supply chains. If the Air Canada strike proceeds, the government could take similar action.
However, an unnamed government official suggested they are not eager to use that power quickly.
The government could also introduce back-to-work legislation in parliament, though this would require support from at least one opposition party. Poilievre’s statements indicate he would not support such legislation.
The Bloc Québécois also expressed its support for the workers, and the New Democratic Party (NDP), a union-aligned party, recently withdrew its support for the Liberals on key votes.
On Wednesday, dozens of business groups, including the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, sent a letter to Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon, urging the government to intervene if no agreement is reached.
The groups stated that a strike would have severe consequences beyond passenger travel, significantly disrupting Canada’s supply chain and affecting both urban and rural communities.
“The impact of a strike would extend far beyond passenger travel for both urban and rural Canadians — it would significantly disrupt Canada’s supply chain,” the letter noted.
Air Canada’s operations handle more than 110,000 passengers daily, and a work stoppage would also affect its cargo operations, which transport commercial goods, perishable items, and parts for manufacturers.
The union seeks to address the pay gap between Air Canada pilots and their US counterparts, who have received substantial wage increases. According to the union, Air Canada pilots currently earn less than half of what US pilots are paid.
“After nine years of the NDP-Liberals, US pilots make a lot more money and pay a lot less taxes. Pilots at Air Canada are simply trying to make up for the ground they lost as a result of the government-caused inflation,” Poilievre said.
