The province says Air Canada violated regulations when it laid off Winnipeg flight attendants this year, and now it is taking the airline to court.
In July Air Canada announced plans to close down its flight attendant base in Winnipeg. Employees were slated to be laid off or transferred to another region.
Now, the province has filed an application in court to reverse that decision.
The Manitoba government's position is that Air Canada's decision to close the Winnipeg flight attendant base is in breach of the federal Air Canada Public Participation Act.
According to the act, the corporation is to maintain operational and overhaul centres in the city of Winnipeg.
Andrew Swan, the minister responsible for competitiveness, says the wording seems quite clear.
"We are asking the court to clarify the legal authority under which Winnipeg's flight attendant base is being closed," Swan said.
"When the federal government privatized Air Canada in 1988, Manitobans were assured jobs, including those of flight attendants, would be maintained in Winnipeg. We are relying on the wording of the legislation to keep that commitment."
Swan pointed specifically to section 6(1) (d) of the Air Canada Public Participation Act, which requires "the Corporation to maintain operational and overhaul centres in the City of Winnipeg, the Montreal Urban Community and the City of Mississauga."
He also noted further assurances to this effect were provided by parliamentarians at the time this legislation was debated in the House of Commons.
"Air Canada's decision to close the flight attendant base seems inconsistent with what was contemplated in the federal legislation and we want the court to provide clarification on this point," said Swan.
