IAM Union Speaks Out in Ottawa Against Airport Privatization
The IAM Union is continuing to speak out against the federal government’s plans to bring private investment into the operation of Canada’s largest airports.
On September 22, Dave Flowers, President and Directing General Chairperson of IAM District 140, attended a press conference in Ottawa on behalf of the IAM Union to raise concerns about the impact of airport privatization on workers, travelers and communities across Canada.
The federal government has announced plans to seek private investment through long-term concessions to operate Canada’s four largest airports: Toronto Pearson, Vancouver International, Montréal-Trudeau and Calgary International. The government has said it will retain ownership of the land and assets while bringing in private capital and expertise to support airport operations and growth.
For the IAM Union, Canada’s airports are critical public infrastructure that should continue to serve the public interest.
“We represent tens of thousands of workers in airports and across the aviation industry in this country. We know airports and we know flying,” said Dave Flowers during the press conference.
Flowers emphasized that Canadian airports were built through public investment and that any shift toward private control raises concerns about affordability, accessibility, labour standards, regional connectivity, public oversight and safety.
“We need to make sure that Canada’s airports operate for a long-term public good rather than short-term private financial gain,” he said.
The IAM Union represents workers across Canada’s aviation sector who play an essential role in keeping the traveling public safe and keeping Canada’s air transportation system moving.
Watch Dave Flowers speak at the Ottawa press conference.
Sign the petition
The IAM Union has launched a national House of Commons petition calling on the Government of Canada to reject any proposal to privatize, sell or transfer ownership or control of Canadian airports to private, for-profit interests.
The IAM Union will continue advocating for an aviation system that protects workers, travellers, communities and the public interest.
