Joint Letter to Prime Minister Carney - Air Canada Strike - Federal Government Intervention Required
August 13, 2025
The Right Honourable Mark Carney
Prime Minister of Canada
Office of the Prime Minister, 80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A2
cc: The Hon. Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Transport and Internal Trade; The Hon. Joanne Thompson, MP St. John’s East; The Hon. Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families; The Hon. Rechie Valdez, Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism); The Hon. John Zerucelli, Secretary of State (Labour); Ms. Carol Anstey, MP Long Range Mountains; Mr. Clifford Small, MP Central Newfoundland; Mr. Jonathan Rowe, MP Terra Nova-The Peninsulas; Mr. Paul Connors, MP Avalon; Mr. Philip Earle, MP Labrador; Mr. Tom Osborne, MP Cape Spear.
Dear Prime Minister Carney,
The Board of Trade and Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador are closely monitoring the ongoing negotiations between Air Canada and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), which represents Air Canada’s flight attendants. Early this morning we learned of CUPE members’ intention to strike in 72 hours. As a jurisdiction that relies heavily on air access, we are deeply concerned about the service disruptions this strike would cause our province.
The peak of summer is a critical time for our local economy. Tourism is one of our largest industries, generating significant economic activity that is essential to the vitality of many communities–supporting the success of businesses, and the livelihoods of thousands of people throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. Air Canada is a vital component of this industry, operating 22 flights with over 5,500 seats daily from the airports throughout our province. Losing these flights at any time would be detrimental to our economy, but losing these seats during the high season would be acutely damaging to hundreds of businesses directly and indirectly impacted, and our provincial economy as a whole. The timing is particularly critical this year as Newfoundland and Labrador is currently hosting the 2025 Canada Summer Games in St. John’s. In addition to the 5,000 athletes, coaches, and managers participating, over 20,000 family members and spectators are expected to travel for the events. A large proportion of these travellers are relying on Air Canada and its services, especially as the games transition into their second week this coming weekend.
While our province’s geographic isolation is part of its unique appeal to visitors, it also creates significant vulnerability and a heavy reliance on dependable air access. This vulnerability, combined with the economic importance of uninterrupted air service, makes timely action imperative. We urge the federal government to take immediate steps to prevent any disruption, safeguard our tourism season, and protect the economic well-being of our province.
We are confident that through your government’s leadership, a fair and equitable resolution can be reached without negatively impacting tourism operators, the business community or our local economy.
Sincerely,
AnnMarie Boudreau Craig Foley
CEO CEO
The Board of Trade Hospitality NL
