Statement from CUPE 8111 On Flight Attendant Layoffs At Canadian North
OTTAWA, Ontario — CUPE 8111 President Isabelle Paquette made the following statement regarding layoffs at Canadian North: “We are deeply concerned about the potential layoffs of 13 flight attendants across in Edmonton, Calgary, and Ottawa. It is especially devastating for our members to face such uncertainty so close to the holiday season.
“We are actively working with the company to explore every possible option to minimize job losses and to provide meaningful support to affected flight attendants during this difficult time.
“Our flight attendants are deeply passionate about their work, the North, and the passengers they serve. Our members hold strong personal connections with the communities and travelers they support, making the impact of these potential job losses especially profound.
“The recent hiring of a new class of flight attendants had offered hope for renewed growth at our airline, making this news especially disheartening.
“As we approach the busy holiday season, adequate staffing is a concern to ensure flights operate without delays. Understaffing could negatively affect passengers at a time when fatigue, weather related delays, and seasonal illnesses are common challenges during this period.
“While these layoffs affect staffing at Canadian North’s southern bases for now, these reductions could have an impact across all bases.
“Many of our flight attendants have dedicated the majority of their careers to Canadian North. The uncertainty our members are experiencing threatens the sense of stability within our workforce and risks driving experienced employees to seek opportunities elsewhere.
“This is a difficult time for all flight attendants at Canadian North. Our coworkers become like family in a group as tight knit as ours. We will continue to advocate for and support all our flight attendants through this challenging time.”
NDP Leader Don Davies Holds a News Conference – October 21, 2025
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CUPE Convention 2025 Bill C-247
October 7th 2025, delegates from the CUPE airlines, joined by NDP leader Don Davies and NDP MP Leah Gazan, highlighted the importance of Bill C-247, which proposes to amend the Canada Labour Code to repeal Section 107.
CUPE National President Mark Hancock called out the federal government’s repeated attacks on free collective bargaining: “Collective bargaining works – but only when it’s allowed to work. It’s hard to calculate the damage that’s already been done by this Liberal government repeatedly stepping in to take away the only leverage workers have at the bargaining table. It’s bad for workers’ livelihoods, and it’s bad for the constitutional rights of all Canadians. Section 107 has got to go.”Canadian Labour Congress President Bea Bruske backed that message, saying all governments must respect workers’ rights and especially the constitutional protection of free and fair negotiations.
Flight attendants protest unpaid work on Parliament Hill
Today on Parliament Hill, flight attendants and allies stood together to say with one voice that unpaid work won’t fly and Ottawa has to listen
Canadian North Standing with AC on the picket line in YYC.
Solidarity knows no borders! Canadian North Flight Attendants standing with AC on the picket line in YYC. United we rise! #UnionStrong #Solidarity #CUPE8111 #FlightAttendantsUnitedAcrossCanada
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