Air Canada’s flight attendants walked off the job on Saturday, triggering a strike that immediately disrupted the carrier’s network. The airline had already canceled more than 600 flights in the run-up to the work stoppage, leaving passengers scrambling for alternatives across domestic and international routes. Hours after the walkout began, Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu directed the Canada Industrial Relations Board to order the flight attendants back to work and move the contract dispute into binding arbitration. The Liberal government said the intervention was needed to protect travellers and the wider economy. Service is expected to resume as crews return while the board oversees an expedited arbitration process.