"Reliable air transportation is vital to Canadians and the Canadian economy. Every day, more than 130,000 people fly with Air Canada for personal, business and tourism reasons. Air travel also plays a critical role in internal and international trade being the transportation mode of choice for high-value and time-sensitive cargo. Almost half of Canadian pharmaceuticals that are shipped by air travel on Air Canada. Agriculture and perishable food products, and parts and machinery for small and medium-sized Canadian manufacturers will be impacted. There is little doubt that the impact of a labour disruption at Air Canada will be felt by all Canadians.
At a time when Canada is facing unprecedented economic challenges and trade uncertainty, a service disruption would interrupt air cargo connectivity, directly impacting Canadian businesses that are working to diversify their customers in provinces across the country. The impact on business will be felt internationally too, and would lead to losses for Canadian exporters, further compounding the impacts on industries throughout our economy.
At the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, we know the best deals happen when both sides sit down and negotiate in good faith at the bargaining table. This year, especially, the stakes of these negotiations are high, not just for flight attendants and Air Canada, but for workers at our airports and for the broader Canadian economy.
If parties cannot reach a negotiated agreement, the federal government should be ready to intervene to avoid a prolonged disruption to Canadian air travel and shipping. We urge the federal government and all parties to continue to put the best interests of our country’s businesses, workers, and communities at the forefront.
David Pierce, Vice President, Government Relations, Canadian Chamber of Commerce