Air Canada strike needs government intervention, business groups tell Ottawa

Business and tourism industry groups are asking the Canadian government to intervene and help prevent a strike by Air Canada pilots as the clock ticks on negotiations.

Unless a settlement is reached by Sunday, either Air Canada or the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), which represents 5,200 Air Canada pilots, could issue a 72-hour lockout or strike notice.

The heads of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, the Business Council of Canada, the Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses, Conseil du patronat du Québec, and the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario issued statements on Thursday, calling on the federal government to prevent further disruptions to Canada’s transportation networks.

“Canadians and businesses nationwide are going to suffer the consequences of labour disruption in the air travel industry. They are not at the negotiating table and are powerless to control the outcomes. We need proactive, decisive action from all actors and from the federal government to ensure we can avoid more damaging consequences for everyone,” said Candace Laing, president and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.

Andrew Siegwart, president and CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario, said, “Thousands of Canadians are relying on flights for critical business, healthcare, and personal reasons. Even a brief suspension will leave many stranded and further strain an already stressed tourism industry.”

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said his party would “never support” any back-to-work legislation.

“We’re going to send a clear message again that we are opposed to Justin Trudeau and the Liberals, or any government, interfering with workers,” he said at his party’s caucus retreat in Montreal.

Singh added, “If there’s any bills