On Friday, December 11, Wasaya Airways Flight 127 went missing north of Pickle Lake, Ontario. The Cessna 208 aircraft was operated by one pilot and was flying cargo out of Pickle Lake on its way to Wapekeka First Nation. Canadian Forces Search and Rescue teams reached the cargo aircraft late Friday night, and it is with great regret and sadness that the pilot was found unresponsive and could not be resuscitated. Our thoughts are with his family and the entire Wasaya pilot group.

On this Veterans Day and Remembrance Day, ALPA is proud to recognize the men and women who have served in the United States and Canadian military. Throughout these nations’ histories, servicemen and women have helped to safeguard our countries and their citizens’ freedom and the democratic way of life.

While veterans grant security to every citizen in Canada and the United States, the military is strongly connected with the airline industry. Many airline pilots like myself learned to fly while serving in the armed forces. After their service, many military pilots elect to apply their skills and experience as airline pilots flying passengers and cargo for commercial airlines.

Even while working in the U.S. airline industry, many pilots proudly support the U.S. military through their airlines’ participation in the Civil Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF) program. Today, many airlines with ALPA-represented pilots commit to help our nations and fellow citizens by providing airlift when needed to support humanitarian and defense missions, both internationally and domestically.

By Capt. Dan Adamus, ALPA Canada Board President

In yesterday’s federal elections, Justin Trudeau and the Liberal Party of Canada won a decisive victory. On behalf of the ALPA Canada Board, we congratulate Canada’s next prime minister and look forward to working with our new government in furthering our mission as a forceful advocate of the airline piloting profession.

Among our top priorities for this new government is the repeal of several anti-labour laws, including C-377 and C-525, both of which would adversely affect labour unions, including ALPA.