WestJet Pilots Ask Judge to Block Approval of Temporary Foreign Workers in the Cockpit
Amid a global flight crew shortage, the union representing WestJet pilots has petitioned a judge to block federal approval for temporary foreign workers in the cockpit. The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) filed an application on Monday requesting that the Federal Court declare the government’s decision to allow temporary work permits at WestJet’s regional subsidiary, WestJet Encore, earlier this month, as invalid.
According to the filing, the airline requested approximately 60 permits for pilots from India and South Africa under the temporary foreign workers program.
Concerns Over Safety and Wage Impact
Tim Perry, head of the union’s Canadian division, stated that the union was not consulted on the decision and raised concerns that it could erode safety margins and undermine wage gains. “Airlines that effectively attract and retain pilots do not need to rely on temporary foreign workers,” Perry said in a phone interview. “This application should never have been filed.”
He also argued that the government drew “improper conclusions” regarding the need for overseas flight crews, emphasizing that the union should have been involved in discussions about WestJet’s request.
WestJet’s Response and Process
WestJet defended its actions, stating that the company had asked the government to assess whether temporary foreign workers were needed, which is a required step before hiring workers from abroad. This request was made through a labour market impact assessment (LMIA), which determines whether there are no Canadians or permanent residents available to fill the positions, according to the Immigration Department.
“WestJet Encore has not yet hired any pilots through the LMIA process,” said airline spokeswoman Julia Kaiser in an email.
Temporary Foreign Worker Program Details
The temporary foreign worker program (TFW) allows non-permanent residents to work in Canada for limited periods, filling labor and skill shortages when no qualified Canadians or permanent residents are available. The program has employed hundreds of thousands of people across various sectors, especially in low-wage industries. However, demand for workers dropped in the latter half of last year, partly due to new restrictions and U.S. tariff concerns.
Federal Approval of Temporary Work Permits
In the lawsuit, WestJet pilots claimed that the federal jobs minister approved WestJet’s application for 60 temporary work permits on March 10. However, Employment and Social Development Canada has declined to disclose further details about the case due to privacy concerns.
Liana Brault, a spokeswoman for the department, stated in an email, “The TFW program is designed to help Canadian employers hire foreign workers to fill temporary labor and skill shortages when qualified Canadians and permanent residents are not available.”
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