As Air Canada cancelled flights on Thursday ahead of a possible flight attendants' strike, the union representing those workers accused the federal jobs minister of speaking "on behalf" of the company amid a contentious labour dispute.

Air Canada began cancelling flights on Thursday after receiving a strike notice from the flight attendants' union, warning all operations could be shut down by Saturday. Chief operating officer Mark Nasr told reporters Thursday that the airline had begun "a gradual suspension of Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge operations.

Air Canada said it remains available to continue negotiations with its flight attendants as it winds down operations ahead of a potential labor disruption.