An Air Canada flight departs as a strike disrupts travel for some Canada Games supporters. (Air Canada on Twitter)

Air Canada strike leaves Canada Games supporters scrambling, but not Team Sask

By Jacob Bamhour Aug 13, 2025 | 5:32 PM

Team Saskatchewan athletes are on solid ground when it comes to travel plans for the 2025 Canada Summer Games in Newfoundland and Labrador, despite an Air Canada strike disrupting flights across the country.

While the strike has left some supporters and officials scrambling for alternatives, both the province’s wrestling team and its overall Canada Games delegations are flying on charters, ensuring athletes and coaches can focus on competition instead of canceled flights.

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“We won’t be affected,” said Rob Nelson, head coach of Saskatchewan’s men’s wrestling team. “Parents and officials are a different story though, because I know they’re frantically trying to figure things out last minute.

Nelson said most wrestling parents booked with WestJet, but some officials had flights with Air Canada and will need to make other arrangements. The Game’s organizing committee is working on contingency plans, including securing charters or redirecting travel through WestJet to get people where they need to go.

It’s a similar situation across Team Saskatchewan’s entire contingent, according to Chef de Mission Greg Perreaux.

“The Strike doesn’t affect out athletes and our coaches at all, which is great,” Perreaux said on the Evan Bray show Wednesday. “However, it definitely affects supporters that are here if they’ve chosen Air Canada as their provider.”

Perreaux said organizers anticipated potential issues for some provinces and, with the help of federal government, secured extra charter flights to cover the teams that were originally scheduled to travel with Air Canada.

Strong start for Saskatchewan

The Games began Aug. 9 and run until Aug. 25, bringing thousands of athletes from across the country to Newfoundland and Labrador. Team Saskatchewan’s first-half delegation numbers 488, including athletes, coaches, technical staff and mission staff, one of the largest in history.

Competition has already brought early success, with Saskatchewan claiming a gold medal in para swimming and a bronze in canoe kayak. Team sports are also underway, and Nelson’s wrestling squad is preparing for its opening matches on Aug 21.

Nelson said the wrestling competition begins with two days of dual-meet team events, followed by individual matches on the third day. Outside of competition, athletes will attend training sessions and cheer on other Team Saskatchewan squads.

For Perreaux, the Canada Games are about more than results.

“We want to make sure everything happening of the field of play can happen without distractions,” Perreaux said. “That means handling the logistics so our coaches and athletes can just compete to the best of their ability.”

Despite travel uncertainties for some supporters, both Nelson and Perreaux said the mood in Team Saskatchewan’s camp is upbeat. The focus remains on competition, and representing the province on the national stage.

“It’s like a mini Olympics for these kids,” Nelson said. “We look forward to doing everyone proud.”

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