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Unifor has called on the Minister of Transportation to veto bylaw changes at Nav Canada that would open the organization’s management to non-Canadians.
“It’s a worrisome move. No sound rationale was provided as to why Nav Canada must seek management from outside the Canadian talent pool,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “Canadian priorities and accountability should be guiding the management at Nav Canada.”
Nav Canada is the not-for-profit Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP) in Canada.
On August 7, Nav Canada’s members amended the bylaws to cancel the long-standing requirement that 100% of its board of directors be Canadian citizens. If the Minister approves the changes, up to one-third of the board may be non-Canadian.
Unlike past bylaw amendments, which drew from a thorough consultation with industry and labour partners, this major revision of Nav Canada’s corporate oversight was done without any such collaboration.
All eight trade unions represented by the Nav Canada Bargaining Agents Association are vehemently opposed to ending the all-Canadian board of directors.
The change leaves workers in the industry wondering if the bylaw amendments will give foreign interests the ability to influence the management of Nav Canada. Removing the Canadian citizenship requirement for Nav Canada’s board could threaten the independence of Canada’s ANSP.
