Latest news with #Canadians.
Economic Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Economic Times
130,000 stranded daily: How Air Canada's pay dispute is wrecking summer travel
Synopsis Air Canada has halted all flights after more than 10,000 flight attendants walked off the job early Saturday, stranding about 130,000 passengers each day during peak summer travel. The strike, led by the Canadian Union of Public Employees, follows months of deadlocked negotiations over pay and unpaid duties. The shutdown has disrupted flights to India and beyond, leaving many travellers facing cancelled trips and soaring rebooking costs. Refunds are being offered, but alternatives are limited as planes across the industry remain full. AP Air Canada planes sit on the runway at Pearson International Airport as flight attendants go on strike in Toronto on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025. (Sammy Kogan/The Canadian Press via AP) Air Canada has suspended all operations after over 10,000 flight attendants began strike action just after 1 am EDT on Saturday. The airline said it would halt flights across its mainline services and its budget arm, Air Canada Rouge, and advised passengers not to go to airports unless rebooked. Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) spokesman Hugh Pouliot confirmed the walkout, saying it followed failed efforts to secure a deal. 'We're here to bargain a deal, not to go on strike,' Pouliot said, adding that Air Canada had not responded to the union's two most recent proposals since Tuesday. By Friday night, 623 flights had already been cancelled, affecting more than 100,000 people, according to figures cited by AFP. The airline operates around 700 flights daily, and the shutdown is now impacting roughly 130,000 passengers each day, including an estimated 25,000 Canadians strike escalated after CUPE refused Air Canada's request to enter government-directed arbitration, a move that would have removed its right to strike and handed the decision to a Canada argued its offer of a 38% increase in total compensation over four years, including benefits and pensions, 'would have made our flight attendants the best compensated in Canada.' A senior flight attendant, under this plan, would earn about C$87,000 by 2027. The union, however, rejected the deal, calling it 'below inflation and below market value.' CUPE is also demanding pay for ground duties such as boarding, which remain unpaid. The practice is common in the airline industry, but union leaders argue it is Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu met both sides late Friday and urged them to break the stalemate. 'It is unacceptable that such little progress has been made. Canadians are counting on both parties to put forward their best efforts,' she said in a Business Council of Canada has pressed the government to impose binding arbitration. Its chief executive, Goldy Hyder, warned: 'At a time when Canada is dealing with unprecedented pressures on our critical economic supply chains, the disruption of national air passenger travel and cargo transport services would cause immediate and extensive harm to all Canadians.'The standoff mirrors government intervention in 2023, when Canada's two largest railroads were forced into arbitration during a strike, a decision now being legally challenged by the railway strike has left thousands scrambling for alternatives. Canada's geography adds to the strain: in a country of vast distances, flying is often the only resident Alex Laroche, 21, said he and his girlfriend had saved since Christmas for an $8,000 European holiday. With non-refundable bookings and a Saturday night flight to Nice at stake, their plans now hang in the balance. 'At this point, it's just a waiting game,' Laroche told admitted he was initially frustrated with the strike but changed his view after learning more about the wage dispute. 'Their wage is barely livable,' he Canada says affected passengers can apply for full refunds via its website or app. It has promised to arrange alternative flights with other carriers when possible, though it cautioned that 'due to the summer travel peak' many seats are already sold said he considered booking with another airline, but prices had soared. 'Most of them are nearly full and cost more than double the $3,000 we paid for our original tickets.'The disruption has reached India-bound services, with direct flights from Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal to New Delhi cancelled. Connecting services from Calgary via London were also agents say some relief may come through Air Canada's membership in the Star Alliance, which includes Air India. 'They are being moved to other routes, they will be protected by arrangements with other airlines. But some impact will be there,' said Vibhor Chhabra, director of Toronto-based Grand before the strike officially began, Air Canada had started cancelling long-haul services. In a post on Thursday, it said the union had rejected a temporary agreement to allow stranded passengers to return from overseas. 'As a result, 25,000 additional passengers are going to be stranded abroad,' the airline Canada normally runs daily flights to New Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Amritsar, Ahmedabad, Chennai and Kochi from Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and Canada's chief operating officer Mark Nasr has warned that even once a deal is reached, it could take up to a week to restore full operations. With a fleet of 259 aircraft and flights to 180 cities across 64 countries, the impact of the shutdown is experts believe neither side can afford a long stoppage. Rafael Gomez, director of the University of Toronto's Centre for Industrial Relations, told AFP that while unpaid pre-flight work is a common issue worldwide, CUPE has effectively presented it as one of fairness. He added, 'That's a very good issue to highlight.'He also suggested the strike would not last long. 'This is peak season. The airline does not want to lose hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue… They're almost playing chicken with the flight attendants.'For now, passengers remain caught in the middle, their plans upended and their patience tested, as one of the busiest travel seasons in years grinds to a halt.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Canadian Nuclear Laboratories and the University of Ottawa Accelerate Low Dose Radiation Research and Foster Next Generation of Scientists
New partnership furthers Canada's international leadership in low dose radiation research CANADIAN NUCLEAR LABORATORIES AND THE UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA ACCELERATE LOW DOSE RADIATION RESEARCH AND FOSTER NEXT GENERATION OF SCIENTISTS CHALK RIVER, Ontario, June 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL), Canada's premier nuclear science and technology organization, and the University of Ottawa (uOttawa), one of Canada's most innovative universities, are pleased to announce a new partnership to advance knowledge, education, research and innovation in low dose radiation (LDR) exposure health effects. Leveraging the leading research organizations' complementary capabilities, the new partnership builds on CNL's global leadership in LDR research with the establishment of a CNL-led LDR innovation hub, accelerating research critical to public safety and the health of Canadians. It will also serve to increase capabilities, education and training opportunities to graduate students and early career researchers. The partnership will also extend uOttawa researchers' access to Atomic Energy of Canada Limited's world class facilities at Chalk River Laboratories, including the unique Biological Research Facility, associated irradiation facilities and LDR Tissue Bank, and establishes a CNL satellite laboratory within uOttawa's new Advanced Medical Research Centre (AMRC) – set to open in 2026. This physical presence will be co-located with the Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology (OISB) as well as uOttawa state-of-the-art Core Facilities, which altogether will support new research directions in radiation sciences and advanced organoid-based systems biology. These areas are rapidly developing strengths at uOttawa, positioning the university as a national, and potentially international, leader in this field. uOttawa will also offer reciprocal access to key research facilities on campus, in addition to those located at the faculty of medicine and in AMRC. 'As a major player in the global research and development effort to support LDR research, CNL is focused on the prevention or reduction of radiation exposure effects in workers, patients and the larger population,' says Dr. Stephen Bushby, Vice-President, Science & Technology, CNL. 'We are very excited to include uOttawa as a major partner in the work needed to shed light on this complex field of research.' As part of this partnership, CNL will be contributing towards the acquisition of a mass spectrometer, which will be installed in the in the Metabolomics Core Facility at uOttawa. This strategic investment, supporting collaborative initiatives between OISB and CNL, will enable leading-edge single-cell metabolomics and spatial metabolomics, a rapidly advancing field with transformative potential in biomedical research. This will be the only equipment of its kind in eastern Canada, offering unique capabilities for high-resolution chemical imaging at the cellular level. The instrument will not only serve researchers at uOttawa, but also attract national and international collaborators, firmly establishing uOttawa as a leader in metabolomics and precision health research. The mass spectrometer will be a central component of the new Spatial Biology and Single-Cell Suite (3S) within the AMRC. This cutting-edge suite will integrate transformative new technologies into a coordinated workflow that complements and enhances five existing and intensively used Core Facilities: Flow Cytometry, Metabolomics, Gene Editing, Cellular Imaging, and Bioinformatics. By bridging these platforms, 3S will significantly expand research capabilities in some of uOttawa's strongest areas of discovery, particularly brain, heart, and cancer biology—driving breakthroughs in systems biology, precision medicine, and therapeutic development. 'This new equipment, the only one of its kind in Eastern Canada, positions the University of Ottawa as a leader in metabolomics and precision health research, while attracting national and international collaborations,' says Julie St-Pierre, Interim Vice-President, Research and Innovation, uOttawa. This new partnership builds on over a decade of collaborative research involving CNL and multiple uOttawa faculties, including Engineering, Science and Medicine. These collaborations have advanced understanding of the biomedical impacts of LDR, including studies on DNA damage and repair, protein synthesis, epigenetics, mitochondrial biology, metabolism, immunity, and stem cell functions. As part of this partnership, CNL has also provided funding support for postdoctoral fellow stipends, further enabling high-impact research and talent development. With the field of LDR research growing and Canadian leadership in LDR research well-recognized, both organizations will continue to explore additional opportunities to further strengthen this partnership. About CNL As Canada's premier nuclear science and technology laboratory and working under the direction of Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL), CNL is a world leader in the development of innovative nuclear science and technology products and services. Guided by an ambitious corporate strategy known as Vision 2030, CNL fulfills three strategic priorities of national importance – restoring and protecting the environment, advancing clean energy technologies, and contributing to the health of Canadians. By leveraging the assets owned by AECL, CNL also serves as the nexus between government, the nuclear industry, the broader private sector and the academic community. CNL works in collaboration with these sectors to advance innovative Canadian products and services towards real-world use, including carbon-free energy, cancer treatments and other therapies, non-proliferation technologies and waste management solutions. To learn more about CNL, please visit About the University of Ottawa The University of Ottawa is powered by research. Located in Canada's capital, we bring together energetic and creative scholars to tackle urgent global challenges and to respond to emerging opportunities. As one of Canada's most innovative universities, we generate breakthroughs and discoveries that make a real difference in communities across Ontario, Canada and the world. Our thought leaders provide evidence-based insights that inform policy and support industry. Our influence keeps growing due to our vast range of international partnerships, including our membership in the U7+ Alliance. As the world's largest French-English university, we are a driving force in the Francophonie. To learn more about uOttawa, please visit CNL Contact:Philip KompassDirector, Corporate Communications1-866-886-2325media@ uOttawa contact:media@ A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Review of Special Ballot System
GATINEAU, QC, May 14, 2025 /CNW/ - After an issue was reported with the return address of a special ballot envelope in the electoral district of Terrebonne during the 45th general election, an analysis was conducted confirming that there was an error on the label that was affixed to the envelope used for returning the special ballot to the local Elections Canada office. The error was in the last three characters of the postal code of the office's address. To date, only one case has come to our attention where an envelope containing a marked ballot was returned to a voter because of an incorrect address. A more detailed analysis was provided to candidates and political parties earlier today. The Chief Electoral Officer, Stéphane Perrault, announced that he is broadening Elections Canada's review of the special ballot voting system which had been announced after a separate incident took place in the electoral district of Coquitlam—Port Coquitlam. In recent general elections, special ballots were used to respond to an increased demand for voting services that meet the diverse needs of electors. A comprehensive review will allow Elections Canada to evaluate the training provided to employees and the controls that are in place for processing special ballots, with the intent to make improvements before the next general election. "We must recognize that, with the evolution of the demand for special ballots, we need to make sure our supporting infrastructure and controls also evolve. One of the strengths of our system is that it does evolve over time to meet the changing needs of Canadians. This review is an opportunity to determine what needs to be improved to continue serving Canadians."—Stéphane Perrault, Chief Electoral Officer Elections Canada is an independent, non-partisan agency that reports directly to Parliament. Subscribe to our news service at SOURCE Elections Canada View original content: Sign in to access your portfolio
Korea Herald
14-05-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
Carney unveils cabinet aimed at urgently resetting US-Canada ties
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who won an election last month vowing to stand up to United States President Donald Trump, unveiled a new cabinet on Tuesday that he said would help urgently define a new relationship with Washington. Carney cut the number of ministers to 29 from the 39 under predecessor Justin Trudeau, but kept some key players in their positions, such as Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne and Dominic LeBlanc, who is in charge of US trade. Carney met Trump in Washington last week but did not secure any removal of tariffs the president has imposed on Canadian exports. "Our government will deliver its mandate for change with urgency and determination," Carney told reporters. "Our workers and businesses continue to face the unfair tariffs imposed by the United States. My government will fight for Canadians." Carney says Canada must spend billions to start shifting the economy's focus away from the United States as well as end barriers to internal trade and cut public spending. "The business of government must be business ... (we are) eager to work with the new government and all parties to tackle urgent nation-building goals," said Matthew Holmes, policy chief at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, calling for action on issues such as regulatory reform and trade diversification. Melanie Joly moves from Foreign Affairs to Industry after four years and is replaced by Anita Anand. Chrystia Freeland, whose resignation as finance minister last December helped oust an increasingly unpopular Trudeau, keeps her job as minister of transport and internal trade. Former Goldman Sachs banker Tim Hodgson takes over as natural resources minister. "For the Canada-US relationship, it was very important for Prime Minister Carney to position smart, tough, and experienced people in the key portfolios ... (he) has done just that," said Cameron Anderson, politics professor at Western University in London, Ontario. As well as the cabinet ministers, Carney named 10 junior secretaries of state. His immediate promises are a tax cut and ending all trade barriers among the 10 provinces by July 1. His platform, which promises additional spending of around $93.2 billion over the next four years, predicts that the 2025-26 deficit will be far higher than forecast in December. Carney abolished the position of labor minister and replaced it with a secretary of state for labor, a move the Teamsters union called deeply confusing and concerning. "It suggests the Carney government is underestimating the scale of the challenges facing Canadian workers in the years ahead," union spokesperson Christopher Monette said by email. The Trudeau government had to deal with several major labor disputes and last year intervened to end separate strikes by port, railway and postal workers. In the election, Carney's Liberals came within two seats of winning a majority in the House of Commons. The opposition Conservatives had been 20 points ahead in the polls in January but dropped off sharply after Trudeau quit and Trump imposed tariffs while musing about the annexation of Canada. "So far it's not a promising start. The first disappointment is unfortunately his cabinet -- he appointed Trudeau's old team," Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre told reporters. "It's more of the same when Canada needs real change." (Reuters)
Epoch Times
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Epoch Times
Challenges Facing Carney Post-Election
News Analysis Prime Minister Mark Carney has brought the Liberal Party back from the brink of electoral defeat, securing re-election and three seats shy of a majority in the House of Commons. But with the election over, the real work of effective governing is now before the prime minister, amid numerous challenges. Here's a look at a few of the most pressing issues. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks to the media after a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on May 6, 2025. Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images Another Minority Government Preliminary election results show the Liberals won 169 seats, three short of securing a majority. The count could be slightly adjusted as recounts get underway in ridings with close races. When Carney was asked on May 2 whether he would enter into a partnership with opposition parties to secure a de-facto majority government—as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau did in 2022 in his supply-and-confidence agreement with the NDP—he ruled it out. 'I have a strong mandate. I think that our objectives are clear,' he said. 'Obviously, by definition in Parliament, we will need to get majority support to pass legislation. We will be putting forth legislation that's consistent with our platform and consistent with the requirements of the time.' Related Stories 5/6/2025 5/6/2025 With opposition parties reeling from the election results, and the leaders of the Conservatives and NDP losing their seats, Carney's minority is likely secure for the near term, as no party wants to go into another election right away. The Bloc Québécois and the Conservatives have suggested they will work together with the Liberals to help them pass legislation supporting Canadians. Bloc Leader Yves-François Blanchet said on April 29, the day after the election, that his party wants to provide a 'stable and responsible' Parliament and is open to a 'truce' if the Liberals provide concessions to Quebec. Conservative House Leader Andrew Scheer, who was selected as official Opposition leader in the House while leader Pierre Poilievre seeks a byelection seat in Alberta, said on May 5 that the party would go beyond partisan differences to support measures that 'protect the Canadian economy' against U.S. tariffs. The NDP, which suffered a heavy defeat in the election and lost official party status, has chosen Don Davies as interim leader. Davies has said he'll seek to change the rules to get official party status. The Liberal government may have more than enough votes to pass legislation related to the U.S. trade war and to support for people and businesses impacted by the tariffs. But down the road, it can be expected that Carney's government may run into roadblocks with other legislation unless he makes coalition-type agreements. Construction workers build scaffolding on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on March 20, 2025. The Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick A Divided Canada The provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan have been expressing displeasure with Ottawa for years, particularly when it comes to federal policies impacting the oil and gas sector. Following the federal election, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said the West is aggrieved that the same Liberal ministers who had implemented policies Albertans find to be against the provincial resource sector have returned to power. This is in the context that both Alberta and Saskatchewan overwhelmingly voted for a Conservative federal government, while the Liberals have formed government for four consecutive terms with support from central Canada voters and elsewhere. Smith said in an In response to Smith's address, Carney said that Canada is 'stronger when we work together' and that 'one can ask the question, but for me the answer is clear.' But Western alienation sentiment, and a simmering independence movement in Quebec, are issues Carney will need to contend with to keep Canada unified. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith makes an announcement in Edmonton on April 29, 2025. The Canadian Press/Jason Franson Slow Economic Growth The prime minister will also need to grapple with Canada's sluggish economic growth, both in gross domestic product and per capita GDP. According to the Bank of Canada, the country could Even before U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs, Canada was in a rough spot with its per capita GDP. A Statistics Canada report from April 2024 said GDP per capita declined in five of the past six quarters and was Carney has said his government will endeavour to 'spend less and invest more' by lowering government spending and seek to increase private investment across the country. But with the United States lowering taxes and regulations and focusing on expanding energy developments, Canada will face additional challenges in attracting more investments. US Tariffs Carney campaigned on being the party leader best suited to take on the Trump presidency amid compounding tariffs. Just a week after the election, he was put to the test on that front. Carney met with Trump in the White House on May 6, and while the president President Donald Trump meets Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in the Oval Office of the White House, May 6, 2025, in Washington. AP Photo/Evan Vucci Trump said the USMCA deal was a 'transitional step,' and Carney said the agreement was a basis for 'broader negotiations.' The two leaders had a courteous first meeting, but nothing concrete was announced afterwards as far as trade negotiations are concerned. Affordability Carney said he entered into politics to deal with Canada's housing and affordability crisis, which became more severe following the COVID-19 pandemic. In the wake of the pandemic, supply chain issues and higher energy prices resulting from pandemic policies and global conflicts However, Canadians have still been struggling with higher prices and increased interest rates, which have harmed general affordability and caused food bank visits to skyrocket. Housing in particular is seen as unaffordable, with a December 2024 survey finding Foreign Interference While the Foreign Interference Commission documented how foreign powers, the most active among them being China, have attempted to interfere with elections and other democratic institutions in Canada, and the government said it is taking action, the interference continued into the 2025 election. This included the Security and Intelligence Threats to Elections (SITE) Task Force Beijing's attempt to interfere in Canada, which has continued despite the increased public attention, is another issue that will need to be addressed by the federal government.
