ATAC President and CEO Julie Mailhot Talks Challenges and Priorities

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The Air Transport Association of Canada (ATAC) welcomed Julie Mailhot as its new president and CEO on Aug. 18, 2025. Mailhot — who succeeds John McKenna in the role — brings a fresh perspective and a wealth of prior experience to the association at a time when there is a lot on the to-do list. Skies connected with her in early November to discuss ATAC’s hot button issues, upcoming conference highlights, and Mailhot’s top priorities for her first year in office.

ATAC president and CEO Julie Mailhot talks challenges and priorities  – Skies Mag

Decisions

Grievance, termination – Syndicat des travailleuses et travailleurs de Sonaca – Montréal – CSN v. Sonaca Montréal Inc., 2025 CanLII 114909 (QC SAT)

Grievor terminated for slowing down production, threatening to “bump” coworker out of his shift, and repeatedly making inappropriate gestures and comments of a sexual nature – arbitrator determined discipline was justified – arbitrator asserted inappropriate behaviour cannot be normalized because it happens in a workplace that might permit or condone it – arbitrator upheld termination, noting repeated and wilful nature of offenses – arbitrator highlighted that grievor’s lack of remorse meant a lesser consequence would not achieve desired outcome of rehabilitation

Workers’ compensation, causal link – Hilaire and Bombardier inc. – Centre de finition, 2025 QCTAT 4577

Commission recognized elbow injury as occupational injury, but declined to recognize incidental complex regional pain syndrome (“CRPS”) and adjustment disorder diagnoses – worker appealed – Tribunal determined issue was not whether worker suffered from CRPS but whether it resulted from original injury – Tribunal found causal link between injury and CRPS and adjustment disorder diagnoses – appeal allowed – worker entitled to benefits for both conditions

Workers’ compensation, timeliness – Air Canada and Succession de Landry, 2025 QCTAT 4589

Commission recognized hearing loss of retired maintenance mechanic as occupational disease, allocating 85.82% of costs to employer – employer appealed – employer raised timeliness of worker’s claim – Tribunal determined worker likely aware that hearing loss could be linked to employment following 2015 auditory report – Tribunal found claim filed outside 6-month timeline – appeal allowed

Workers’ compensation, timeliness and causal link – Air Canada and Deschênes, 2025 QCTAT 4459

Commission recognized hearing loss of mechanic as occupational disease – employer appealed – Tribunal found insufficient facts to believe worker was aware of possible link between hearing loss and occupation prior to 2022 – worker’s claim was timely – however, Tribunal also found no causal link between hearing loss and noise exposure – appeal allowed

Workers’ compensation, settlement – Air Transat AT inc. and Roselli, 2025 QCTAT 4363

Flight attendant suffered elbow injury – employer asked Tribunal to confirm settlement reached by parties – Tribunal found worker did not agree to settlement offer – hearing ordered on the merits

CIRB Decisions

Bargaining unit order – Logixx Security Inc.Order No. 12134-U

IAMAW certified to be bargaining agent for unit comprising “all employees of Logixx Security Inc. providing access control at Air Canada Facilities at and around Lester B. Pearson International Airport, excluding supervisors and those above the rank of supervisor and employees subject to another certification order issued by the Canada Industrial Relations Board”

CTA News and Decisions  

Bakers Narrows Lodge penalized for violations of the Canada Transportation Act

Application – Northern Air Solutions Inc.Determination No. A-2025-177

Application to continue suspension of Licences 050133 and 050134 – suspension continued

Application – Hawaiian Airlines, Inc.Determination No. A-2025-178

Application for cancellation of Licences 020091 and 961084 – licenses cancelled

Suspension – Silverhawk Aviation, Inc. c.o.b. Silverhawk AviationOrder No. 2025-A-S-223

Licence 120098

Suspension – Fuga, Inc. c.o.b. Air Fuga; Guru AviationOrder No. 2025-A-S-224

Licence 230101

Suspension – Hawaiian Globetrotter c.o.b. 30 West Jets, 30 West Aviation, 30 West Jets Inc. – Order No. 2025-A-S-226

Licence 190070 

Suspension – FOOTHILLS HELICOPTER TRAINING ACADEMY LTD. c.o.b. EXPLORATION HELICOPTERS Order No. 2025-A-S-228

License 240017

 TC/TSB News

 Airworthiness Directives

 Industry Association News

 Union News

Airport News

Rotary Operator News

General Aviation News

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