Canadian NorthSA国际影视传媒檚 merger with First Air has been followed by some cargo headaches.

The Kitikmeot Chamber of Commerce released a statement describing freight arrival as SA国际影视传媒渉orrific at bestSA国际影视传媒� since the airlines started combining services on Nov. 1.

Mail is slower and perishable products on grocery store shelves have been in worse condition, according to feedback from Chamber members, stated the organizationSA国际影视传媒檚 executive director, Valter Botelho-Resendes.

The Kivalliq Chamber of Commerce and the Baffin Regional Chamber of Commerce, however, reported that none of their member businesses had made complaints related to the merger.

Iqaluit mechanic Mike Gilbert, who runs Upper Base, said heSA国际影视传媒檚 noticed an added week or two to get vehicle parts and that has resulted in unhappy customers whose vehicles are sitting idle for longer.

SA国际影视传媒淏efore it was two weeks, not too bad, but now itSA国际影视传媒檚 a month or a month and something,SA国际影视传媒� Gilbert said, adding that delays increase the odds that parked cars and trucks will have dead batteries from the bitter cold.

Canadian North spokesperson Dan Valin acknowledged that there has been some turbulence in regards to cargo delivery but he primarily attributed it to factors outside the integration of the airlines.

SA国际影视传媒淲e have unfortunately had some delays and cancellations due to mechanical or weather situations. This has caused some delays in cargo movement as well. We are working on adding cargo capacity to rectify any backlog this has caused,SA国际影视传媒� Valin stated.

Gilbert also said shock absorbers have suddenly been classified as dangerous goods. It results in more paperwork and an extra couple of hundred dollars per shock absorber, he said.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 way more money and they never, never, never charged me (for dangerous goods) in 11 years when I was dealing with First AirSA国际影视传媒� itSA国际影视传媒檚 insane,SA国际影视传媒� said Gilbert. SA国际影视传媒淭hey donSA国际影视传媒檛 care as much as before when we had the chance of saying, SA国际影视传媒榊ouSA国际影视传媒檙e not right. WeSA国际影视传媒檒l go to the other (airline).SA国际影视传媒�

Valin replied that this is was a mistake. The shock absorbers were classified incorrectly. He said Gilbert has been contacted, the situation will be rectified going forward and Gilbert will be credited for incurred expenses.

Another concern expressed by the Kitikmeot Chamber of Commerce is the lack of available seats through Aeroplan as late as October 2020. Valin said Canadian North intends to carry on its partnership with Aeroplan and the airlineSA国际影视传媒檚 internal system shows seats can be booked through Aeroplan next fall. He said Canadian North will look into that complaint.

No staff reductions yet

It will take up to 18 more months for all aspects of the merger to be completed, according to Valin. The airline has not laid off any of its close to 1,600 staff as a result of First Air and Canadian North joining forces, he added.

SA国际影视传媒淲e have stated that we expect some workforce reductions as part of the merger, but we will endeavour to accomplish this through attrition or voluntary exits, where possible,SA国际影视传媒� Valin stated.

During the merger negotiations, Quebec-Inuit owned Makivik Corporation and NWT Inuit-owned Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, the proprietors of Canadian North, expressed interest in having Nunavut Inuit take equity in the merged airline.

SA国际影视传媒淭alks are ongoing and it continues to be our wish to have Nunavut Inuit take an ownership stake in the airline,SA国际影视传媒� said Valin.

Land claims organization Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated didnSA国际影视传媒檛 respond to Nunavut NewsSA国际影视传媒� request for comment prior to deadline.