WestJet Faces Backlash After Pierre Poilievre Speaks on Flight’s PA System
A Divisive Incident or an Unfortunate Mistake?
The recent incident involving Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre speaking on the public address (PA) system of a WestJet flight has sparked controversy and raised questions about the airline’s policies. The event, which took place on a Sunday night flight from Quebec City to Calgary after the Conservative Party of Canada’s convention, was met with laughter and cheers from passengers.
The Video that Sparked the Outrage
A video circulating online shows Poilievre making short remarks on the PA system for about 45 seconds. The video, which has been viewed thousands of times, shows the Conservative leader speaking in a campaign-style tone, much to the amusement of the passengers on board.
WestJet’s Response: A Revisit of Policy
The CEO of WestJet, Alexis von Hoensbroech, said that the flight was added specifically for the convention and was largely filled with Conservative delegates who were attending the event. Von Hoensbroech stated that Poilievre was given the opportunity to greet delegates onboard, which is not unusual, but this incident should not be interpreted as a political endorsement.
"We are non-partisan by nature and will revisit our policy on this," von Hoensbroech said in a statement posted on Twitter.
CUPE Demands an Apology from WestJet
The union representing WestJet cabin crew, CUPE Local 4070, is demanding an apology from the airline over the incident. The president of CUPE local 4070, Alia Hussain, said that it’s "very disappointing" that the airline allowed a politician to use the PA system.
"It is doubly disappointing that WestJet is now trying to assign blame on the cabin crew for this event," Hussein said in a statement posted by CUPE Alberta on Twitter.
A Misunderstanding or a Deliberate Decision?
Hussain wants WestJet to apologize for blaming crew members and says both the airline and Poilievre showed poor judgment. According to Hussain, the cabin crew had no input in the decision to allow Poilievre to speak, and the airline’s rules say only crew members can use the system.
The Importance of Non-Partisanship
Ian Lee, an associate professor of management at Carleton University, said that it’s critical for businesses to remain non-partisan. Governments have been regulating industry for a long time, and businesses tend to be very careful about being non-partisan.
"The fact that the flight was filled with party faithful makes it a unique situation," Lee said in an interview. "I think most reasonable people will say, ‘I understand why that happened.’"
A One-Off Incident or a Trend?
Lee expects WestJet to make sure this incident doesn’t happen again. This was a one-off, and it’s unlikely that the airline will allow politicians to use the PA system in the future.
"It’s not a big deal," Lee said. "It happened once coming out of a convention. And I think most reasonable people will say, ‘I understand why that happened.’"
WestJet’s Statement
A spokeswoman for WestJet said in a statement that two flights were added between Quebec City and Western Canada to meet the demand from the convention. The use of the PA microphone onboard their aircraft may be approved occasionally, for unique occasions and individuals.
"We are committed to maintaining our non-partisan stance," Julia Kaiser said in a statement.
Conclusion
The incident involving Pierre Poilievre speaking on the WestJet flight’s PA system has raised questions about the airline’s policies and commitment to non-partisanship. While it was an unfortunate mistake, it serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining a neutral stance in politics.
