"Canada’s airports are not for sale”: Unifor takes privatization fight to Toronto summit

Unifor is ramping up its opposition to the potential privatization of Canadian airports, taking its message directly to the Canada Investment Summit 2026 in Toronto on Monday (Sept. 14).

Members of Unifor’s Aviation Council staged a protest outside the two-day summit, hosted by Prime Minister Mark Carney, declaring that “Canada’s airports are not for sale.”

The summit brings together global investors, Canadian CEOs and public-sector representatives to discuss investment opportunities across Canadian industries, infrastructure and other assets.

Unifor says it is concerned that federally owned airport lands could eventually be opened to private investment, arguing that privatization would have consequences for both aviation workers and travellers.

"Airport workers know from experience that privatization comes at a cost to them and the travelling public and creates worse working conditions across the aviation industry," said Unifor National President Lana Payne in a press release.

"Outsourcing and contract flipping already drive down wages, benefits and working conditions, further public selloffs can only make this crisis worse for airport workers. We have seen over and over again, how the sell off of public infrastructure leaves us more vulnerable economically. If there was ever a time to hold the line and build more public infrastructure, it is now."

National Airports System airports were not directly referenced in pre-conference materials, Unifor noted.

However, the union alleges that Ottawa has demonstrated an interest in exploring the sale of federally owned airport properties, including through potential legislative changes.

Privatization = higher fees?

Canada’s major airports operate under a model in which airport authorities lease federal land and manage airport operations. Unifor is urging Ottawa to maintain public ownership of those assets.

The union argues that privatization could result in higher fees for passengers and businesses and potentially put routes and connections serving rural, remote and northern communities at risk.

It also says private ownership could accelerate outsourcing, contract flipping and precarious employment within the aviation sector, while weakening public accountability over transportation infrastructure.

"Canada's airports are essential public infrastructure that connect communities, support regional economies and keep people and goods moving," said Unifor Aviation Council Chair Tammy Moore in a statement.

"Selling off public assets is not how Canada will get ahead. It will put vital services in the hands of investors whose only goal is to maximize profits. We are joining this movement to defend public ownership, protect good jobs and ensure decisions about our shared future are made by the many, not the money."

Unifor is calling on the federal government to protect public ownership of airport infrastructure, strengthen accountability and ensure that future transportation policy prioritizes workers, passengers and communities.

The protest builds on the union’s broader push for changes to employment conditions across Canada’s aviation sector.

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