In the news today: Air Canada flying again; Canada Post, workers pick up negotiations

Here is a roundup of stories from The Canadian Press designed to bring you up to speed…

Air Canada’s North American routes ramp up today

Air Canada flights within North America are expected to ramp up this morning as the airline continues its operational restart following a three-day flight attendants’ strike.

The company resumed flights Tuesday afternoon after a complete halt to Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge routes that began early Saturday morning.

It said it was focusing on outbound international flights to start.

The airline has cautioned that a return to full, regular service would take seven to 10 days as aircraft and crew are out of position, and that some flights will continue to be cancelled until the schedule is stabilized.

It is offering customers with cancelled flights a full refund or credit for future travel if they cannot be rebooked on a competitor’s flight.

Read more:

• Air Canada flights slowly resume at YQR, YXE delays still expected
• Air Canada cancellations begin at YQR, more expected, CEO
• Low on clothes, insulin and options, travellers’ woes continue amid Air Canada strike

Section 107 of labour code is ‘dead’: union leader

A rare show of defiance by Air Canada flight attendants in the face of a back-to-work order from the government has proven the ineffectiveness of the section of Canada’s labour code that allows a minister to order the end to a strike or lockout, the president of the Canadian Labour Congress said.

On Aug. 16, just hours after flight attendants hit the picket line after failing to reach a new contract deal with the airline, Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu invoked section 107 of the Canada Labour Code to order binding arbitration and get the flight attendants back on the job. The section grants the minister the power to act to “maintain or secure industrial peace.”

Flight attendants ignored the order and remained on strike until a deal was finally reached early Tuesday, a move Canadian Labour Congress President Bea Bruske lauded as effective.

“It sets a precedent (that) you can defy, and you will find a solution at the bargaining table,” Bruske said Tuesday in an interview with The Canadian Press. “It sets a precedent for the reality that (section) 107 is no longer effective, it is effectively dead.”

Canada Post, union head back to bargaining table

Canada Post and the union representing postal workers are set to return to the bargaining table today.

Plans to rekindle talks late last week were delayed due to a lack of federal government mediators.

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers claimed labour unrest at Air Canada was pulling attention from the postal service’s dispute, which has stretched on for more than a year and a half.

A few weeks ago, unionized postal workers rejected the Crown corporation’s latest offer that would have included wage hikes of around 13 per cent over four years and added part-timers to the workforce.

Enbridge, Cenovus target of greenwashing complaint

A shareholder advocacy group has filed a greenwashing complaint with Alberta’s securities watchdog alleging Cenovus Inc., one of Canada’s biggest oilsands producers, and Enbridge Inc., the country’s biggest crude pipeline operator, have misled investors in their environmental disclosures.

Investors for Paris Compliance, which seeks to hold publicly traded companies accountable for their climate commitments, argues the companies have breached the Alberta Securities Act “with long-standing and widespread inaccurate and incomplete disclosure” related to net-zero commitments.

“By extensively using net-zero terminology in their communications, Cenovus and Enbridge have led reasonable investors and the public to believe that their business models are aligned with the net-zero energy transition, which in fact threatens both their existing business and fossil fuel expansion plans,” the group said in its submissions to the Alberta Securities Commission.

Quebec promises changes to forestry bill

The Quebec government is renewing its promise to modify a forestry bill that has provoked blockades and growing tension in the province.

Indigenous Affairs Minister Ian Lafrenière said Tuesday evening that the forestry reform bill must be amended to take into account the rights of First Nations.

His social media statement came after a six-hour meeting with First Nations leaders and representatives of the forest industry.

He and Natural Resources Minister Maïté Blanchette Vézina are expected to meet today with the Assembly of First Nations Quebec–Labrador and the office of Premier François Legault.

Alberta flips on controversial disclosure policy

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s government is again shifting its expense disclosure policy after critics from across the political spectrum accused her of dodging responsibility.

In early August, the province quietly published new rules axing a requirement for Smith, her ministers, senior staff and deputy ministers to publicly post receipts for expenses over $100.

Marisa Breeze, press secretary to Finance Minister Nate Horner, said in a Tuesday email that cabinet has directed Horner to see that the previous expense posting policy is reinstated — but with a tweak.

“Cabinet recognized the importance of an expense posting policy that achieves both security and transparency,” she said.

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published AUg. 20, 2025

The Canadian Press