Closing down of Aveos - Mayor Gérald Tremblay, Mayor Sam Katz and Mayor Hazel McCallion ask the Prime Minister of Canada to intervene in order to protect jobs

MONTREAL, March 23, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - The mayor of Montréal, Mr. Gérald Tremblay, stands together with the mayors of Winnipeg and Mississauga in asking the Prime Minister of Canada to intervene in the matter of Air Canada and Aveos by calling for an emergency meeting between the parties concerned in order to find solutions that would respect the spirit of the law, thereby protecting the thousands of jobs directly and indirectly affected.

"We have spoken to the president of Air Canada and he has expressed a desire to collaborate and to participate in discussions," states the letter to Prime Minister Harper, signed by Mayors Tremblay, Hazel McCallion of Mississauga, and Sam Katz of Winnipeg.

The mayors argue that Aveos ceasing its operations leads not only to the termination of 3,300 jobs but also to the shutting down of all maintenance and repair centres that, according to the spirit of the law, Air Canada has the obligation to maintain in the Montréal Urban Community, in Winnipeg, and in Mississauga, under Article 6 (1) d) of the Air Canada Public Participation Act (L.R.C. (1985), c. 35 (4th Supp.)).

"We deem this situation unacceptable. In the current, fragile economic situation we are experiencing, it is our duty to safeguard the leading edge technology infrastructures and jobs that make Canada one of the worldwide leaders in the field of aeronautics. Even more fundamental is the necessity to respect rule of law as well as the laws upon which this country built both its prosperity and its trust in itself."

The letter also highlights the fact that Air Canada is not a private company like any other but is, rather, our national air carrier. Its obligations under law come as a compensation for the protection of its privileges as such. This has also, and very recently, enabled your government to intervene in the carrier's labour relations.

"As mayors, on behalf of our citizens, we call upon your leadership to urgently convene a meeting of the parties concerned in order to find solutions that would respect the spirit of the law, thereby protecting the thousands of jobs directly and indirectly affected. In so doing, we would maintain the Canadian aeronautics industry's rank as one of the best in the world as well as help consolidate the country's economic performance," ends the letter sent to Prime Minister Harper.

Darren Becker
Cabinet du maire et du comité exécutif
514 872-6412