The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) is warning the federal government against handing control of Canada’s major airports over to private investors, saying privatization will mean higher costs for passengers and more pressure on airport workers.
Canada’s airports are critical public infrastructure. They exist to serve passengers, workers and communities, not to be profit centres for private investors. Surrendering control of our strategic transportation infrastructure simply does not square with this government’s stated goal of building a stronger, more resilient and sovereign Canadian economy.
International experience shows who pays the price for airport privatization. After Perth Airport was privatized, charges to airlines per passenger – costs ultimately passed on to travellers – skyrocketed by more than 60%, while Sydney Airport ultimately cut 40% of its workforce.
Private investors aren’t putting billions into Canadian airports as a public service. They expect a return, and that money has to come from somewhere. Canadians already pay too much to fly, and airport workers already face precarious work and constant pressure on their wages and working conditions. Privatization will only make those problems worse.
Canada’s not-for-profit airport authorities already attract private capital while reinvesting surpluses in airport infrastructure. They also return approximately $525 million annually to the federal government through airport rents. CUPE is calling on the federal government to shelve its latest privatization scheme and keep Canada’s airports in public hands.
“There is no magic to airport privatization: private investors expect a return, and Canadians will be the ones paying for it. That means pressure to raise fees, cut staff and cut corners on the services travellers rely on.” – Mark Hancock, CUPE’s National President
“Canada’s airports are essential public infrastructure, built over generations and paid for by Canadians. We should be investing in the workers and services that make them work, not turning them into a new revenue stream for private investors.” – Candace Rennick, CUPE’s National Secretary-Treasurer
“Anyone who works in Canada’s airline industry can tell you the last thing we need is another layer of profiteers skimming profit off the backs of the already underpaid and overworked people who keep this industry flying. The government’s plan will make flying worse and more expensive for literally everyone except the big institutional investors who stand to profit off this scheme.” – Wesley Lesosky, President of CUPE’s Airline Division
