WestJet considers hiring temporary foreign workers to solve pilot shortage [Video]

Calgary-based WestJet is considering whether to use temporary foreign workers (TFWs) to fly its planes.

In a statement, spokesperson Julia Kaiser told CBC News the airline is exploring the labour market impact assessment (LMIA) process as one of “multiple avenues” to meet a shortage of WestJet Encore captains. 

The LMIA is essentially a piece of paperwork that a business needs to take part in the federal TFW program, to prove that there are no local workers available to take a job.

The union representing pilots at the airline says it wasn’t consulted by either the WestJet or the federal government about the move.

“This application should never have been made,” said Capt. Tim Perry, president of the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) Canada. 

WestJet has already received federal approval to hire through the TFW program, the union said. Neither the airline nor Employment and Social Development Canada have confirmed those …