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WestJet Strike Countdown: What to Do If You're Flying This Long Weekend

  Published July 31, 2026  |  Canadian Money Brief If you've got a WestJet flight booked for this weekend, here's the situation in one line: a strike or a lockout could ground the airline's cabin crew as early as Saturday, August 1 at 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time / Sunday, August 2 at 12:01 a.m. MT — right at the start of the busy August long weekend. Nothing has happened yet. WestJet and the union representing its roughly 4,400 flight attendants, CUPE Local 8125, are both still at the table. But both sides have now filed the legal paperwork that makes a work stoppage possible within days, so this is the moment to actually check your booking rather than hope it sorts itself out. HOW WE GOT HERE Flight attendants voted 99.4% in favour of a strike mandate back on July 15. On July 30, the union issued a 72-hour strike notice over wages and unpaid ground work — CUPE says the average flight attendant does about 35 hours a month of unpaid boarding, security, and delay-related work...
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CRA may tax company gifts to employees, depending on what it is and how much it’s worth

 


Here is a short article about the tax rules surrounding gifts by employers in Canada:

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) distinguishes between gifts, awards, and long-service awards. The value of gifts and awards are generally taxable to employees as employment income, but certain non-cash gifts and awards may not be taxable under the updated administrative policies.

A gift is something given to an employee for a special occasion such as a religious holiday, birthday, wedding, or the birth of a child. Gifts given around this time of year will generally fall under this category. 

An award is given for an employment-related accomplishment such as outstanding service, or an employee’s suggestion. It recognizes an employee’s “overall contribution to the workplace, not recognition of job performance.” 

A valid, potentially non-taxable award has clearly defined criteria, a nomination and evaluation process, and a limited number of recipients, according to the CRA. Contrast this with a reward, which is provided to employees for performance-related reasons, such as meeting or exceeding sales targets, or completing a project. These rewards are considered to be taxable benefits to the employee, akin to a bonus or extra compensation. 

Under the CRA’s administrative policy, employees can receive an unlimited number of tax-free non-cash gifts or awards each year, provided the combined total fair market value of those gifts and awards is less than $500 (including tax). Excluded from this $500 limit are small items or items of a trivial value such as coffee or tea, T-shirts, mugs, plaques, and trophies. If, however, the total of non-cash gifts and awards is more than $500 in a calendar year, the amount over $500 will be considered a taxable employment benefit.


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