A class action lawsuit has been filed against the Canadian government on behalf of aviation employees over the COVID-19 vaccine mandate.

Non-profit organization Free to Fly Canada has filed a Class Action lawsuit against the Canadian government, representing aviation employees who allege adverse effects from COVID-19 vaccination mandates.

The lawsuit specifically targets Transport Canada's Interim Order Respecting Certain Requirements for Civil Aviation Due to COVID-19, No. 43, which mandated vaccination for individuals within the civil aviation community in 2021. According to the plaintiffs, this order compelled employers to violate contractual agreements, infringed upon Charter-protected rights, and interfered with fair collective bargaining practices.

The class action is open to unvaccinated aviation workers who have faced adverse consequences as a result of Transport Canada's Interim Order No. 43. According to Free to Fly Canada, these consequences included termination of employment, coerced early retirement, and suspensions that were often misleadingly termed "leave of absence" by employers, despite their involuntary nature.

The plaintiffs assert that they have been let down by their government, unions, and employers, and view this legal proceeding as a crucial means to fight back against what they perceive as injustices and breaches of their rights.