The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) of Canada is raising alarm after the federal government approved WestJet’s request to recruit foreign pilots through the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program. In a statement released on 7 February 2026, Carin Kenny, chair of the WestJet Encore Master Executive Council, said the decision was made without union consultation and risks undermining wages and working conditions for Canada’s 3,000-plus WestJet and WestJet Encore pilots.
WestJet argues the measure is necessary to alleviate a chronic pilot shortage that has forced schedule reductions and threatened regional connectivity. ALPA counters that the shortage is “manufactured,” pointing to the exodus of Canadian aviators to U.S. carriers that offer higher pay and more predictable schedules. The union wants the government to require airlines to improve compensation packages before they can access foreign labour.
![Pilot Union Slams Ottawa’s Approval to Hire Foreign Pilots Under TFW Program]()
Navigating Canada’s immigration and work-permit rules—such as those used under the TFW Program—can be complicated for both employers and individual travellers. VisaHQ’s online platform (https://www.visahq.com/canada/) helps companies, HR teams, and mobile professionals determine eligibility, assemble documentation, and track application status in real time, making the process faster and less stressful.
The controversy illustrates a broader tension in Canada’s aviation sector: airlines say staffing gaps jeopardize recovery and growth, while labour groups fear a race to the bottom as carriers tap the TFW Program instead of investing in domestic talent pipelines. Transport economists note that, unlike in other high-skill occupations, pilot licences are highly regulated and require extensive Canadian-specific training, making large-scale foreign recruitment complex.
For business travellers and corporate mobility managers, the dispute could translate into flight disruptions if wage talks sour or if domestic pilots take job-action. Companies with critical travel needs are advised to build flexibility into itineraries and monitor labour relations bulletins ahead of the busy spring break period.(bridgecitynews.ca)
WestJet argues the measure is necessary to alleviate a chronic pilot shortage that has forced schedule reductions and threatened regional connectivity. ALPA counters that the shortage is “manufactured,” pointing to the exodus of Canadian aviators to U.S. carriers that offer higher pay and more predictable schedules. The union wants the government to require airlines to improve compensation packages before they can access foreign labour.
Navigating Canada’s immigration and work-permit rules—such as those used under the TFW Program—can be complicated for both employers and individual travellers. VisaHQ’s online platform (https://www.visahq.com/canada/) helps companies, HR teams, and mobile professionals determine eligibility, assemble documentation, and track application status in real time, making the process faster and less stressful.
The controversy illustrates a broader tension in Canada’s aviation sector: airlines say staffing gaps jeopardize recovery and growth, while labour groups fear a race to the bottom as carriers tap the TFW Program instead of investing in domestic talent pipelines. Transport economists note that, unlike in other high-skill occupations, pilot licences are highly regulated and require extensive Canadian-specific training, making large-scale foreign recruitment complex.
For business travellers and corporate mobility managers, the dispute could translate into flight disruptions if wage talks sour or if domestic pilots take job-action. Companies with critical travel needs are advised to build flexibility into itineraries and monitor labour relations bulletins ahead of the busy spring break period.(bridgecitynews.ca)
