The federal government has directed Air Canada and its 10,000 flight attendants to end their strike and return to work through binding arbitration.

Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu announced the move Saturday, citing the economic impact of the nationwide disruption. She said eight months of talks between the airline and the Canadian Union of Public Employees failed to produce an agreement, and mediation efforts earlier this week did not resolve the dispute.

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Hajdu invoked section 107 of the Canada Labour Code, instructing the Canada Industrial Relations Board to arbitrate outstanding issues. She said the stoppage was affecting passengers and delaying shipments of essential goods, including pharmaceuticals and organ tissue.

Air Canada cancelled more than 600 flights in the pa

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