Letter of Concern Regarding Possible Air Canada Labour Disruption

The Honourable Chrystia Freeland
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance

The Honourable Steven MacKinnon
Minister of Labour and Seniors

The Honourable Pablo Rodriguez
Minister of Transport

The Honourable Soraya Martinez
Minister of Tourism

The Honourable Gudie Hutchings
Minister of Rural Economic Development

The Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

Delivered via email

September 10, 2024

Dear Ministers and Premier Furey:

I am writing on behalf of the St. John’s Board of Trade to express our deep concerns about the potential labour disruption at Air Canada and the devastating impact it would have on our country and beyond. Air Canada plays a critical role in our national infrastructure, not only transporting tens of thousands of passengers daily, but also by supporting the supply chain and moving essential and time-sensitive goods throughout our nation.

A strike by Air Canada pilots would have catastrophic consequences across the country, including in Newfoundland and Labrador, where air connectivity is essential for both business and personal needs. Air Canada carries approximately 120,000 passengers a day, including providing over 3,000 seats daily to and from St. John’s International Airport—a disruption of any kind would have a detrimental impact on our economy immediately. A disruption in service would prevent Canadians from conducting business, attending critically important appointments, visiting loved ones, and from travelling for leisure, harming many provincial tourism sectors at a critically important time of year.

Moreover, the impact on Canada's supply chain must not be underestimated. Air Canada plays a key role in exporting essential goods, and any disruption to this flow would jeopardize businesses across the country and create severe ripple effects in our economy.

This potential labour disruption comes on the heels of other significant labour disputes within our country’s national rail networks and the ports of Vancouver and Montreal. These events collectively paint a concerning picture of Canada's reliability as a global trading partner. Our country’s reputation is at risk, and as a nation dependent on international trade, we cannot afford to allow our supply chains to be viewed as unreliable.

The federal government has a responsibility to act to protect the travelling public and the overall economic activity generated by air transport. We believe it is crucial for both parties to work toward a resolution that ensures stability for Canadian businesses, consumers, and the overall economy. If the parties are unable to reach a negotiated settlement, the federal government must refer them to binding arbitration or implement any other solution ensuring continued operations before a service disruption occurs.

The stakes are simply too high, and the potential damage to Canadian businesses, consumers, and our global reputation is too great to ignore. We trust in your leadership to help resolve this matter swiftly and fairly, in the best interest of all Canadians.

Sincerely,

AnnMarie Boudreau
CEO
St. John's Board of Trade