Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau described videos of a party on a recent Sunwing Airlines flight from Montreal to Cancun, Mexico, as a "slap in the face" to those who tried to stay safe during the pandemic, and said Wednesday that Canada's airline regulator is looking into it. Social media videos from the Dec. 30 flight appear to show passengers not wearing masks as they gather in close proximity, singing and dancing in the aisle and on seats. A large bottle of vodka appears to be distributed among passengers in one footage, while later on the plane, a woman appears to be using an electronic cigarette. The plane had been chartered, according to sources, and several of the passengers were cast members from Quebec reality television shows. "It's a smack in the face to watch people utterly irresponsibly endangering themselves, their fellow citizens, and airline staff," Trudeau added. "This is a subject that Transport Canada takes very seriously, and we're keeping an eye on it." Trudeau pledged to conduct a thorough probe. "I'm obviously frustrated, as are Canadians who have watched those films," Trudeau added. Transport Canada contacted the airline and informed them those passengers who violated the department's regulations could face fines of up to $5,000 Canadian (US$3,938) per infraction. Rena Kisfalvi, president of the union local that represents approximately 1,000 Sunwing flight attendants, claims that Sun wing is the only major Canadian airline that does not provide rapid tests to cabin crews, which she believes should be mandatory. Kisfalvi claims that up to 50% of her coworkers have had to call in sick in the last month due to potential Covid-19 symptoms.
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