Canadian Chamber of Commerce Worried About Airline Capacity Reductions, Renews Call for Financial Support for Travel Industry

(OTTAWA) – January 13, 2021 – Today Hon. Perrin Beatty, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, released the following statement regarding the implications of workforce reductions at Air Canada:

“The implications of today’s news about decreased capacity and further workforce reductions at Air Canada are deeply troubling. With cuts to regional air service in Atlantic Canada and across the country, the situation is much more than just an air industry issue – pockets of our country risk being disconnected from others.

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce renews  our call for the federal government to provide targeted financial support for the hardest hit sectors, including the beleaguered travel industry. As we continue to navigate the current crisis, a restart plan for safe travel while using an integrated approach to rapid testing for COVID-19 is also crucial. Our industry partners are committed to working with governments to develop this plan and to reopen our economy.”

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For more information, please contact:

Emily Walsh
Canadian Chamber of Commerce
ewalsh@chamber.ca (preferred and fastest response time)

About the Canadian Chamber of Commerce – Because Business Matters

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce helps build the businesses that support our families, our communities and our country. We do this by influencing government policy, by providing essential business services and by connecting businesses to information they can use, to opportunities for growth and to a network of local chambers, businesses, decision-makers and peers from across the country, in every sector of the economy and at all levels of government, as well as internationally. We are unapologetic in our support for business and the vital role it plays in building and sustaining our great nation.