Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says it’s up to Air Canada and the union to reach an agreement to avoid disrupting travellers and businesses.

Speaking at an event in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Que., on Friday, Trudeau said he wouldn’t tip the scales toward either party.

“I know every time there’s a strike, people say, ‘Oh, you’ll get the government to come in and fix it.’ We’re not going to do that,” said Trudeau.

“We have and we will protect the Canadian economy. But first and foremost is putting all the pressure on the people who need to feel that pressure — unions and the employers.”

He said the government won’t intervene unless it becomes clear that no negotiated agreement is possible.

The airline and pilots will be in a position starting Sunday to issue 72-hour notice of a strike or lockout. The airline has said the notice would trigger its three-day wind-down plan and start the clock on a full work stoppage that could come as early as Sept. 18.

The airline’s cargo service has already stopped accepting some items such as perishables, but says so far it hasn’t had to cancel any flights because of the labour negotiations.

Numerous business groups have called on the government to intervene in the matter, including the Canadian Federation of Independent Business and the Canadian and U.S. Chambers of Commerce.

Negotiations are mostly stuck on the question of pay.

The airline says the union is being inflexible with “unreasonable wage demands.”

The union has said it is corporate greed that’s holding up talks, as Air Canada continues to post record profits while expecting pilots to accept below-market compensation.

The two sides are continuing to meet Friday in an attempt to reach a deal.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.

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Ian Bickis, The Canadian Press