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Canada’s air transportation workers were stunned by U.S. President Donald Trump’s unprovoked and illegal trade war and his inflammatory comments threatening Canada’s sovereignty.
From the potential for a recession to the reorganization of travel away from the U.S., the actions of this U.S. administration have the potential to seriously impact our industry and the global economy.
Solidarity with Workers on the Front lines of the Trade War
We stand in solidarity with our fellow workers in the forestry, auto, steel and aluminum sectors who are on the front lines of this trade war. Many have been in this war since Trump’s first term as president when initial tariffs were imposed. Their livelihoods have already been severely impacted. We will fight with them side-by-side to build a resilient Canadian economy and protect our sovereignty.
Preparing to Welcome the World’s Travellers: Improve Jobs to Improve the Travel Experience
Actions at the border to search travellers’ phones and detain Canadian citizens, coupled with angry backlash towards global citizens who are in the U.S. for work or pleasure are just two reasons why travellers are choosing to reorient their plans away from the U.S. and towards other destinations, including Canada.
Reports from across the country have shown Canadians are severely reducing their air travel to the United States and increasing air travel both domestically and to other international destinations. The data bears this out. Statistics Canada data show that return trips to and from the United States by Canadian residents dropped nearly 20% in April 2025 compared to last year while return trips to other international destinations grew by 9.9%. Clearly, the preferences of Canadian air travellers are shifting. As the world reorients away from the United States towards travel and trade with other countries, we expect more international travellers will choose to visit Canada.
As aviation workers, we are ready to welcome the world’s travellers and be the gateway to our beautiful country.
Preparing for the increase in air travel, foreign and domestic, requires the industry do more to deal with the chaos many travellers continue to experience while transiting across Canada. Unifor’s Air Transportation Workers’ Charter of Rights and Freedoms lays out nine recommendations to strengthen the industry’s ability to meet customer needs through exceptional service provided by respected and well-resourced aviation workers.
Invest in Public Transportation Infrastructure to Overcome the Biggest Internal Trade Barrier - Geography
The biggest barrier to internal trade is geography. Canada is a vast and beautiful country with workers producing goods and services that Canadians need. Getting Canadian made products delivered to consumers from coast to coast to coast requires Canada overcome that distance through robust investments in transportation infrastructure that allows us to move goods and people across our own country in a smoother, safer and faster way.
Unifor calls on the federal government to strengthen the transportation sector and invest in public infrastructure.
Years of privatization and under-investment have left passengers and workers vulnerable, highlighting the urgent need for public investment in air and rail travel, as well as transit, to ensure reliable services and good jobs.
Privatization of public infrastructure cannot be a part of any response to the current climate. All levels of government must work together to invest in expanding public infrastructure in our communities and across the country.
Bold and Decisive Action Required
Now more than ever, the Canadian economy needs bold and decisive action.
We will continue to work with government and employers to build a resilient industry that supports good jobs and high-quality travel.
We will stand in solidarity with workers across the country who are directly in Trump’s line of fire.
And above all, we will work to end this economic threat that imperils the broader economy. We will coordinate with like-minded allies, and those willing to stand up for a brighter, more prosperous future.
About the Aviation Council
Unifor is Canada’s largest private-sector union, representing 320,000 members, including more than 16,000 aviation workers from coast to coast to coast. Unifor members in air transportation work in baggage handling, customer service, aircraft maintenance, piloting, airport operations, air navigation services and air traffic control. The Unifor Aviation Council brings together local unions, bargaining units, and members to advocate for policies that protect jobs, improve working conditions, and strengthen the air transportation industry.
The council and union advocate for better working conditions to improve travel conditions for everyone. Unifor’s Air Transportation Workers’ Charter of Rights and Freedoms includes nine recommendations to kick the chaos out of the travel experience and get back to delivering a high-quality travel experience that customers deserve.
