Photo credit: Daily Courier
- KF Aerospace founder and current board chairman Barry Lapointe was appointed as a Member of the Order of Canada on Thursday (June 27). Originally established in 1970 as Kelowna Flightcraft, the company is now Canada’s largest commercial aeronautical maintenance, repair and overhaul provider, and a partner in the RCAF pilot training consortium.
- Privately held, Montreal-based defence contractor Top Aces has added a pair of Douglas A-4 Skyhawk jet trainers to their Canadian fleet. The aircraft will serve as Advanced Aggressor Fighters (AAF) to support training of RCAF CF-18 pilots, particularly as the force advances toward an F-35 fleet. In addition to the RCAF, Top Aces supplies aircraft and instructors to Germany’s air force (Bundeswehr) and the U.S. Air Force.
- WestJet had thought it had averted a strike by its maintenance staff after an 11th-hour intervention by federal labour minister Seamus O’Regan, who instructed the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) to impose a binding arbitration to settle the dispute. The mechanics’ union, the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA), instructed its members to comply and avoid unlawful job action. However, late Friday afternoon, union members reportedly initiated strike action. WestJet Airlines and group COO Diederik Penr immediately released a statement: “We are extremely outraged at these actions and will hold AMFA 100 per cent accountable for the unnecessary stress and costs incurred as a result.” Expect multiple delays and flight cancellations this holiday weekend as a result unless a resolution is immediately forthcoming.
- Meanwhile, 1,350 manufacturing workers at Bombardier’s manufacturing facility at the Toronto Pearson airport, where Global series aircraft are built, continue to strike against their employer. The striking employees are members of two Unifor locals, 112 and 673.
- Just reported by the CBC Friday afternoon (June 28) is the appointment of Lieutenant-General Jennie Carignan as Canada’s new Chief of Defence Staff, becoming the first woman to hold the post. The Canadian Army officer succeeds retiring General Wayne Eyre, also of the Army. Carignan’s rise in the ranks is notable as she comes from a combat rather than technical or administrative arm.