Air Canada's CEO on Monday defended the airline's offer of a 38% boost in compensation to striking flight attendants but said there was a big gap compared to the union's demand and did not offer a path to return to negotiations.

Air Canada CEO Mike Rousseau said on Monday the airline was "amazed" by the decision of its flight attendants' union to defy an order by the Canada Industrial Relations Board, which has declared the union's strike unlawful.

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Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu joins Power & Politics, defending her decision to invoke Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code to order Air Canada flight attendants back to work. She says 'it was clear' the airline and the union 'needed another tool' to continue negotiations after the union went on strike.

Air Canada Chief Executive Mike Rousseau said on Monday that the airline was "amazed" by the decision of its flight attendants' union to defy the Canada Industrial Relations Board, which has declared the union's strike unlawful.

Air Canada has already begun canceling flights after hitting an impasse in contract negotiations with the flight attendants' union as a possible strike looms. Earlier this week, the union issued a notice of intention to strike,