Skip to Main content

25.17°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Sports Videos Shows Podcast Contact Us

Apr 9, 2020 1:54 PM -

WestJet bringing workers back on payroll with help of wage subsidy program

Share On

westjet-bringing-workers-pack-on-payroll-with-help-of-wage-subsidy-program

A WestJet airlines plane at the Ottawa airport Wednesday June 26, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

WestJet says it plans to bring back nearly 6,400 employees on to its payroll with the help of Ottawa's emergency wage subsidy program.

WestJet chief executive Ed Sims made the announcement in a video posted to Twitter.

He says employees will be back on the company payroll once the federal government has approved the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy program.

Air Canada made a similar announcement on Wednesday that it would use the program to bring back about 16,500 employees.

Sims says it doesn't mean all the employees will be automatically coming back to work because there might not be work for them to do, but he says it will help the workers financially.

WestJet continues to operate flights during the crisis, but it has slashed its capacity.

Latest news

nenshi-says-alberta-referendum-promotion-has-cost-taxpayers-at-least-365-000

AlbertaJul 24, 2026

Nenshi says Alberta referendum promotion has cost taxpayers at least $365,000

Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi says the provincial government has spent at least $365,000 promoting its planned referendum on Alberta separation, arguing taxpayers are covering the cost of a political campaign. According to Nenshi, government contracts show the spending includes the production and distribution of a televised address and promotional videos for social media platforms. He said the costs are tied to efforts to inform the public about the upcoming referendum. Premier Danielle Smith has defended the referendum, saying the vote is intended to settle the question of Alberta separati

b-c-businesses-could-access-1-5b-federal-emergency-fund-if-new-u-s-tariffs-take-effect-eby-says

B.C. businesses could access $1.5B federal emergency fund if new U.S. tariffs take effect, Eby says

British Columbia Premier David Eby says businesses affected by potential new U.S. tariffs would be eligible to access a $1.5 billion federal emergency fund if the measures are implemented. According to Eby, Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed the regional emergency fund remains available to support provinces facing economic impacts from U.S. trade action. Eby said the funding could provide relief to B.C. industries if the United States proceeds with proposed tariffs on Canadian goods, including duties of up to 50 per cent on certain wood products beginning Aug. 19. The premier said uncertaint

carney-says-canada-prepared-to-respond-if-u-s-tariffs-take-effect

CanadaJul 24, 2026

Carney says Canada prepared to respond if U.S. tariffs take effect

Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada is prepared to impose retaliatory tariffs if negotiations with the United States fail and new U.S. trade measures are implemented. Speaking to reporters Thursday following the conclusion of a three-day meeting of Canada's premiers in Charlottetown, Carney said the federal government's priority remains reaching a trade agreement with the United States. However, he said Canada is prepared to take all necessary steps to protect its economic interests if a negotiated solution cannot be reached. Carney also described the tariff threat as a familiar pressure ta

fuel-costs-on-the-rise-as-latest-geopolitical-turmoil-drives-up-crude-oil-prices

CanadaJul 23, 2026

Fuel costs on the rise as latest geopolitical turmoil drives up crude oil prices

Fuel costs are on the rise in Canada as geopolitical turmoil drives the price of crude oil to its highest level in more than a month. Gasbuddy.com, which crowdsources pump price data from across Canada and the U.S, says the Canadian national average now sits above $1.80 a litre- a two-cent increase from a day earlier and an eight-cent bump from a week ago. Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at Gasbuddy, says that could rise by another five to 10 cents over the next week or two as the full impact of the crude price jump works its way through the supply chain. West Texas Intermediate cr

canada-labour-board-again-orders-bank-of-canada-to-stop-using-replacement-workers-during-security-officers-strike

CanadaJul 23, 2026

Canada Labour Board again orders Bank of Canada to stop using replacement workers during security officers' strike

The Canada Industrial Relations Board has ordered the Bank of Canada for a second time to stop using replacement workers during an ongoing strike by its security officers, ruling that the practice violates Canada's new anti-scab provisions under the Canada Labour Code. According to the Public Service Alliance of Canada, the central bank continued using employees from private security firm Pinkerton despite an earlier board order issued in early July. The union alleged the replacement workers were being used to undermine the legal strike. The board has directed the Bank of Canada to remove the

Related News

Carney says Canada prepared to respond if U.S. tariffs take effect

Carney says Canada prepared to respond if U.S. tariffs take effect

Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada is prepared to impose retaliatory tariffs if negotiations with the United States fail and new U.S. trade measures are implemented. Speaking to reporters Thursday following the conclusion of a three-day meeting of Canada's premiers in Charlottetown, Carney said the federal government's priority remains reaching a trade agreement with the United States. However, he said Canada is prepared to take all necessary steps to protect its economic interests if a negotiated solution cannot be reached. Carney also described the tariff threat as a familiar pressure ta

Fuel costs on the rise as latest geopolitical turmoil drives up crude oil prices

Fuel costs on the rise as latest geopolitical turmoil drives up crude oil prices

Fuel costs are on the rise in Canada as geopolitical turmoil drives the price of crude oil to its highest level in more than a month. Gasbuddy.com, which crowdsources pump price data from across Canada and the U.S, says the Canadian national average now sits above $1.80 a litre- a two-cent increase from a day earlier and an eight-cent bump from a week ago. Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at Gasbuddy, says that could rise by another five to 10 cents over the next week or two as the full impact of the crude price jump works its way through the supply chain. West Texas Intermediate cr

Canada Labour Board again orders Bank of Canada to stop using replacement workers during security officers' strike

Canada Labour Board again orders Bank of Canada to stop using replacement workers during security officers' strike

The Canada Industrial Relations Board has ordered the Bank of Canada for a second time to stop using replacement workers during an ongoing strike by its security officers, ruling that the practice violates Canada's new anti-scab provisions under the Canada Labour Code. According to the Public Service Alliance of Canada, the central bank continued using employees from private security firm Pinkerton despite an earlier board order issued in early July. The union alleged the replacement workers were being used to undermine the legal strike. The board has directed the Bank of Canada to remove the

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

Broadcasting Notice of Consultation

BC Children's Hospital