Canadian pilots refuse guns

While the largest union of airline pilots asked the U.S. government Tuesday for the power to bear arms on board aircraft, Canadian pilots say they don't want the right to carry guns. ``It's fair to say we are not keen on the idea,'' said Captain Raymond Hall, chairman of the Air Canada Pilots Association, which represents 3,500 members. Added one Air Canada pilot, ``It is proactive prevention that is going to work, not reactive altercation.'' The decision may also reflect a general Canadian reluctance to carry sidearms.

Air Canada lays off thousands

Air Canada announced Wednesday that it is laying off 5,000 employees. The company will also be reducing its flight schedule by 20% and pulling 84 planes out of service. Of the job cuts, 4,000 will be from main operations and 1,000 from regional carriers. The announcement comes on top of 4,000 jobs slashed in August.

Orchestra threatens to lock out musicians

The Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra says that it will lock out its musicians unless they agree to a new contract by October 7. The CPO wants to cut wages and shorten the concert season, as it faces a deficit of $650,000.

Caplan implements tighter border policy

Even before the passage of a new bill on immigration policy, Immigration Minister Elinor Caplan has moved ahead with tougher Canadian border practices. ``I've given the order to do in depth security screening of all claimants at our ports of entry. That has begun,'' she said. ``We haven't waited for Bill 11.'' Cabinet has approved the new immigration law, though it is currently before the Senate.