Statement: WestJet labour dispute and Canada’s transportation reliability
The Business Council of British Columbia (BCBC) is concerned about the risk of a work stoppage in the current dispute between WestJet and CUPE. We encourage the parties to reach an agreement that avoids disruption for travellers and the businesses that depend on reliable air service. Canadians expect the transportation networks and supply chains that underpin the economy to operate reliably.
Unfortunately, this is the latest in a growing pattern of labour disruptions affecting Canada's ports, railways, and airlines. Over the past two years, Canada has experienced 60 transportation-related work stoppages, including a combined marine strike and lockout that shut West Coast ports for 24 days.
As Canada's Pacific gateway, British Columbia often feels these impacts first and depends on reliable air service to connect people, businesses, and markets. Repeated disruptions also undermine Canada's reputation as a dependable place to trade, invest, and do business.
The Government of Canada’s ambition to double non-US exports and to turn the country into an energy superpower with the strongest economy in the G7 cannot be achieved without a labour relations framework that delivers reliability.
We call on the federal government to modernise its labour relations framework. BCBC has put forward three structural changes that would give these nationally significant sectors more stability and predictability, set out in our submissions to the federal government. Acting on them is how Canada protects its reputation as a reliable place to invest and trade.
BCBC submissions:
Submission on Building Canada Strong for All: Targeted Second Phase Consultation