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April 18th, 2016

Liberals betray aerospace workers

OTTAWA — New Democrats are calling on the government to withdraw Bill C-10, which would make the layoff of 2,600 Air Canada and Aveos workers permanent. Bill C-10 would allow Air Canada to ship aircraft maintenance jobs out of the country – creating precarious working conditions in the aerospace industry.

After supporting these workers while in opposition, the Liberal government is now turning its back on them. A betrayal like this is appalling. The NDP will fight tooth and nail against C-10 and represent the voice of workers in Parliament,”said NDP MP and Quebec lieutenant Alexandre Boulerice (Rosemont-La petite Patrie).

The Air Canada Public Participation Act requires the air carrier to keep heavy maintenance jobs in Montreal, Mississauga and Winnipeg. In a unanimous ruling, the Quebec Court of Appeal recognized this obligation.

Instead of respecting the Court’s ruling, the Liberal government decided to side with Air Canada at the expense of workers and table Bill C-10 to avoid further legal disputes.

“By amending the Air Canada Act, the government is making layoffs that were illegal in the original Act, legal. After watching the Conservatives refuse to apply the Act, the Liberals are doing worse – they’re changing it!,” said Boulerice.

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For more information, please contact:

NDP Media Centre: 613-222-2351 or npdcom@parl.gc.ca