NDP opposes privatization of Canada's major airports

The New Democratic Party (NDP) and labor representatives are opposing a federal plan to allow private investment in Canada’s four largest airports. NDP leader Avi Lewis characterized the government's proposal as privatization, arguing that transferring operational control to investors will lead to increased fees for travelers and threaten the job security and wages of airport workers.

Lewis criticized the government's distinction that the public would retain ownership of land and buildings, calling it “a distinction without a difference.” He compared the situation to the long-term lease of Ontario’s Highway 407, noting how private management can lead to significant long-term costs for the public.

Labor leaders, including Unifor’s aviation council chair Tammy Moore, expressed concerns that private operators might increase precarious contract employment and implement staffing cuts to maximize profits. Additionally, the NDP is opposing Bill C-39, which they claim would expand federal powers to intervene in labor disputes, potentially weakening workers' collective bargaining rights and the right to strike.