BCA Urges Federal Intervention in WestJet Labor Dispute
Business leaders in Alberta are calling on the federal government to intervene in the ongoing WestJet labor dispute, which has left thousands of travelers stranded. The Business Council of Alberta (BCA) is urging the government to invoke Section 107 of the Canadian Labour Code to end the strike and get WestJet planes flying again.
Adam Legge, President of the BCA, said that more than 15 hours had passed since WestJet flight attendants went on strike during one of the busiest travel weekends of the summer. He emphasized that the federal government has both the authority and responsibility to intervene, citing their actions in 2025 when they invoked Section 107 to end an Air Canada cabin crew strike.
The BCA is concerned about the impact of transportation disruptions on Canada's economy, which lost 4.3 million person-days to work stoppages in 2025 - the highest number ever recorded. The transportation sector accounted for 36% of all stoppages over the past two years, with more than 60 work stoppages occurring.
The BCA is also urging the federal government to pursue reforms that strengthen early dispute resolution, improve bargaining certainty, and reduce the likelihood of prolonged disruptions in nationally significant transportation networks. This includes revising the Canada Labour Code to make it easier for employers and employees to resolve disputes quickly.