TORONTO, Sept. 14, 2026 /CNW/ -- Unifor's Aviation Council sent the federal government a clear message during a protest today at the Canada Investment Summit 2026 in Toronto: Canada's airports are not for sale.
The two-day summit, hosted by Prime Minister Mark Carney, brings together global investors, Canadian CEOs and public-sector representatives to discuss investment in Canadian industries, infrastructure and other assets, including still-public infrastructure.
"Airport workers know from experience that privatization comes at a cost to them and the travelling public and creates worse working conditions across the aviation industry," said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
"Outsourcing and contract flipping already drive down wages, benefits and working conditions, further public selloffs can only make this crisis worse for airport workers. We have seen over and over again, how the sell off of public infrastructure leaves us more vulnerable economically. If there was ever a time to hold the line and build more public infrastructure, it is now."
National Airport Service (NAS) airports were not directly referenced in pre-conference materials, likely because government currently lacks the legislative authority to do so. However, the federal government has been clear about its intent to sell off these critical public properties in any way that it can, including by making legislative changes.
Privatization of Canada's airports creates the possibility of increased fees for passengers and businesses, threatens routes and connections serving rural, remote and northern communities, and often deepens the use of outsourcing, contract flipping and precarious employment.
It also further depresses wages, benefits and working conditions for airport workers, weakens accountability and public oversight, and erodes public control over critical infrastructure at a time when Canada's supply chains must be defended.
"Canada's airports are essential public infrastructure that connect communities, support regional economies and keep people and goods moving," said Unifor Aviation Council Chair Tammy Moore.
"Selling off public assets is not how Canada will get ahead. It will put vital services in the hands of investors whose only goal is to maximize profits. We are joining this movement to defend public ownership, protect good jobs and ensure decisions about our shared future are made by the many, not the money."
Unifor calls on the federal government to protect public ownership, strengthen accountability and ensure that decisions affecting Canada's transportation infrastructure put workers, passengers and communities ahead of private profit.
Unifor has long drawn attention to improving working conditions in airports with its campaign for an Air Transportation Workers' Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Unifor is Canada's largest union in the private sector, representing 320,000 workers in every major area of the economy. The union advocates for all working people and their rights, fights for equality and social justice in Canada and abroad, and strives to create progressive change for a better future.
SOURCE Unifor
To arrange interviews, please contact Unifor Communications Representative Jenny Yuen at [email protected] or 416-938-6157 (cell).
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