NDP Leader Avi Lewis, the party’s transport critic Heather McPherson, and union representatives speak out against the government’s plan to attract private investment in four major airports. 

https://www.cpac.ca/headline-politics/episode/ndp-responds-to-airport-private-investment-plan?id=14a399ae-42ea-49bb-a996-bca8d3b9e896

Petition

https://www.ourcommons.ca/petitions/en/Petition/Details?Petition=e-7453&fbclid=IwY2xjawUfskNwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMUlXMTZORTB3aEx6ODlGTkRzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeRZUtPssWkeYmpwWsr6t8h5AIvZd_gnr8OIp_qv5-jHwlLvaGjwHV0qv6uUM_aem_E9TckpFPq0ZDOMezMq0nzA

The privatization of Canada’s airports has been discussed for years, and the IAM Union has consistently opposed the idea. We have been raising concerns about the potential consequences for airport workers, passengers and the Canadian aviation industry, and we will continue to fight against a model that puts private profit ahead of the public interest.

At the Canada Investment Summit in Toronto, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that the federal government will seek private investment through long-term concessions to operate Canada’s four largest airports: Toronto Pearson, Vancouver International, Montréal-Trudeau and Calgary International.

According to the Prime Minister, the government will retain ownership of the land and assets while bringing private capital and expertise into airport operations and growth. He said the government expects to raise tens of billions of dollars through these arrangements and reinvest the money into regional airports, transportation infrastructure and other nation-building projects.
While the government presents this to attract investment and improve Canada’s aviation infrastructure, the IAM Union remains deeply concerned about what this means for workers and passengers.

Private investors are not entering the airport system simply to provide capital. They are investing to generate a return. This creates serious concerns about increased fees, cost-cutting and pressure on wages, staffing and working conditions. Ultimately, those costs can be passed on to passengers.

IAM Canadian General Vice-President David Chartrand has repeatedly warned about these risks, emphasizing that airport privatization could lead to higher costs and reduced accessibility while putting pressure on the workers who keep Canada’s aviation system running.; saying “Airports are essential infrastructure, not profit-making enterprises. Privatization puts the interests of investors ahead of workers, passengers and the communities these airports serve.” Read more about the dangers of privatization here.

The government’s announcement also raises concerns about the role of workers in the process. While the government says it will work with airport authorities and other stakeholders, including airlines and local governments, there was no specific commitment to consultation with workers or unions and no details were provided regarding job security or labour protections.

This is particularly concerning for the IAM, which represents thousands of workers across Canada’s aviation sector.

The IAM has been actively raising these concerns with federal decision-makers. During the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) Lobby Day back in November 2025, more than 70 IAM representatives met with Members of Parliament and discussed the dangers of airport privatization and its potential impact on workers and the travelling public.

The IAM has been clear: Canada needs investment in its airports, but that investment should strengthen public infrastructure, good jobs and affordable air travel, not create another opportunity for private investors to profit from essential services.
Our airports are critical to Canada’s economy and communities. They should be operated in the public interest, with workers and passengers at the centre of the conversation.

The IAM Union will continue to oppose airport privatization and advocate for a strong, safe and accessible Canadian aviation system.

1. Sign the petition: Join the IAM Union in 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. Add your voice and help protect Canada’s airports, airport workers and the travelling public.

2.Learn more about the dangers of privatization: Read more about the IAM’s concerns and our work to stop airport privatization in our presentation.

3.Read the full Canada Investment Summit Announcement: The first Canada Investment Summit unleashes nearly $500 billion of new investment in Canada | Prime Minister of Canada

Media Contacts:
Michel Richer – Quebec Coordinator:mricher@iamaw.org
Guillaume Valois- Communicator: g.valois@aimta712.org

WASHINGTON, July 27, 2026 – Brian Bryant, International President of the 600,000-member IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) released the following statement after the Office of the United States Trade Representative announced new Section 301 trade actions aimed at addressing forced labour in global supply chains:

“Forced labour has no place in the global economy. Companies and countries that profit from exploitation should not be rewarded with access to the U.S. market at the expense of workers who play by the rules.

“The IAM Union supports strong trade enforcement that defends human rights, protects good-paying jobs and prevents unfair trade practices from undermining American and Canadian manufacturing. When foreign governments allow forced labour to persist in their supply chains, they create an artificial cost advantage that hurts workers everywhere.

“Trade enforcement is most effective when it is focused on changing the behavior of the worst offenders while strengthening partnerships with nations that share our commitment to higher labour standards and fair competition.

“That is why we are deeply troubled to see Canada, which shares the United States’ commitment to ban goods manufactured with forced labour, included in these actions. The IAM Union proudly represents workers in both the United States and Canada, and our members build products together every day through one of the most integrated manufacturing relationships in the world. As this policy moves forward, we encourage the administration to work with Canada to preserve the strong economic and labour partnership that has benefited workers on both sides of the border for generations.”

The IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) represents approximately 600,000 active and retired members in aerospace, defense, airlines, shipbuilding, rail, transit, healthcare, automotive, and other industries across North America.

A national petition has been launched by the IAM Union calling on the Government of Canada to reject any proposal to privatize, sell, or transfer ownership or control of Canadian airports.

Canada’s airports are critical public infrastructure that support millions of passengers each year and play a vital role in economic stability, national security, emergency response, tourism, trade, and regional connectivity across the country.

Airports were built through long-term public investment and are intended to operate in the public interest. Any move toward privatization raises serious concerns about the long-term consequences for affordability, accountability, and service quality.

What’s at stake if airports are privatized:
• Increased costs for travellers through higher airport and airline fees
• Reduced transparency and public oversight of critical infrastructure
• Greater pressure on wages, staffing levels, and working conditions in aviation
• Prioritization of private profit over public service and accessibility
• Potential impacts on regional routes and connectivity, particularly in smaller communities

The petition is now available for Canadians to sign and share widely. It calls on the Federal government to ensure that airports remain publicly accountable infrastructure, operated in the best interest of workers, passengers, and communities; not private financial interests.

Sign and share the petition: Petition e-7453 – Petitions

This initiative reflects growing concern about the future of public infrastructure in Canada and the need to protect essential transportation assets for current and future generations.

Media inquiries:
Dave Flowers
President & Directing General Chairperson
IAM District 140
dflowers@iam140.ca