The Canadian government stepped in on Saturday to end the Air Canada flight attendants’ strike that had stranded more than 100,000 passengers worldwide.
Federal Labour Minister Patty Hajdu announced she was invoking her powers under section 107 of the Canadian Labour Code to order binding arbitration, compelling both Air Canada and its 10,000 flight attendants back to work.
“As Minister of Labour I have exercised my authorities under section 107 of the Canadian Labour Code to direct the Canada Industrial Relations Board to order the parties to resume and continue their operations and duties,” Hajdu said during a press conference.
The decision means flights are expected to gradually resume as the striking cabin crews return to duty.
Hajdu defended the intervention, arguing that the strike posed too great a risk to Canada’s already fragile economy. “Now is not the time to take risks with the economy, particularly given the unprecedented tariffs recently imposed on Canada by the United States,” she said.
Binding arbitration will now determine the outcome of the labour dispute, removing the option of further strikes or lockouts while the process is underway.
