Air Canada (TSX:AC) Stock: What Mandatory Vaccines Would Mean

Air Canada (TSX:AC) stock may fall in the short term, but what would mandatory vaccines mean for the future outlook of this company?

| More on:

Election mode is in full swing here in Canada. On Sunday, the government announced there would be federal election on September 20. But even before it was announced, our current federal government looks like it’s trying to make as many moves as possible to end the COVID pandemic. Some of these moves could actually affect companies like Air Canada (TSX:AC). But will Air Canada stock sink or climb from recent announcements?

What happened?

Mandatory COVID-19 vaccines will be required for all federal workers and travellers by this fall, the government announced last week. That’s nearly half-a-million people who work for the federal government, and almost a million more who work in federally regulated industries.

The new policy would not only mean you couldn’t ride a plane to a sunny destination; it also means you cannot cross provincial or territorial borders. And that’s where some people have a problem. While this won’t apply to those who cannot receive a vaccine for medical reasons, it’s unclear about those conscientious or religious reasons.

So what?

The move is on top of many universities across the country requiring only fully vaccinated individuals to come onto campus. The federal government originally didn’t seem in favour of having these “vaccine passports.” However, since then, the issue has changed. It looks like with the Delta variant surging, Canadians mainly want this to come to an end. With an election on the way, the current Liberal government is taking advantage of this stance to introduce the passports.

What does this mean for a company like Air Canada stock? And, more importantly, what about for Motley Fool investors? On the whole, the closer we get to normalcy, the better for the economy. It’s absolutely clear that the end of the pandemic would be a good thing. How we get there is, of course, up to debate.

But say vaccine passports work. This should allow for smoother travel down the line. It means eventually Air Canada stock could rally. And that’s good, right?

What now?

As of writing, Air Canada stock is seeing an increase in use mainly because Canadian travellers just have to prove they’re either vaccinated or don’t have COVID-19. So, just when we’ve found a way to get people back on board planes, this government ruling could be poor for business in the short term.

Suddenly, we may see a major drop in airline travel, because those without the vaccine simply cannot travel. And some may never be able to do so if it’s for these conscientious or religious reasons. So, what then? Will this change when the pandemic is over?

There are certainly a lot of question marks to be raised over this new restriction. Not all of them are positive. But when it comes to Air Canada stock and Motley Fool investing, our ideas remain the same. Motley Fool investors should not be buying a stock based on short-term goals. It should be based solely on long-term belief in the company’s fundamentals.

In the case of Air Canada stock, this new ruling could be good long term. You’ll see a quicker return to normalcy, and therefore a quicker return to pre-pandemic levels. Shares are up 41% in the last year, with sales due to more than double next year. And such a ruling would mean safer holiday travel and therefore less spread during the holiday season.

So, wherever your beliefs lie, if you’re looking to invest in Air Canada stock long term, now could be a good time to do it.

This article represents the opinion of the writer, who may disagree with the “official” recommendation position of a Motley Fool premium service or advisor. We’re Motley! Questioning an investing thesis — even one of our own — helps us all think critically about investing and make decisions that help us become smarter, happier, and richer, so we sometimes publish articles that may not be in line with recommendations, rankings or other content.

Fool contributor Amy Legate-Wolfe owns shares of AIR CANADA. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned.

More on Coronavirus

A airplane sits on a runway.
Coronavirus

3 Fresh Stocks I’m Likely Buying in 2025

I am likely buying Air Canada (TSX:AC) stock in 2025.

Read more »

RRSP Canadian Registered Retirement Savings Plan concept
Coronavirus

Canadian RRSP Stocks to Buy Now for Retirement

Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc (TSX:ATD) is a quality retirement stock.

Read more »

A train passes Morant's curve in Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies.
Coronavirus

Retirees: What Rising Inflation Means for Your CPP Payments

If you aren't getting enough CPP, you can consider investing in stocks and ETFs. Canadian National Railway (TSX:CNR) is one…

Read more »

Coronavirus

Air Canada Stock Is Starting to Get Ridiculously Oversold

Air Canada (TSX:AC) has been beaten down to absurd lows.

Read more »

Coronavirus

Should You Buy Air Canada Stock While it’s Below $18?

Air Canada (TSX:AC) stock is below $18. Should you invest?

Read more »

Illustration of data, cloud computing and microchips
Stocks for Beginners

3 Canadian Stocks That Could Still Double in 2024

These three Canadians stocks have been huge winners already in 2024, but still have room to double again in the…

Read more »

Aircraft Mechanic checking jet engine of the airplane
Coronavirus

Can Air Canada Stock Recover in 2024?

Air Canada (TSX:AC) stock remains close to its COVID-19 era lows, even though its business has recovered.

Read more »

A airplane sits on a runway.
Coronavirus

3 Things to Know About Air Canada Stock Before You Buy

Air Canada stock continues to hover below $20 despite the sharp rise in travel demand seen across the industry. What's…

Read more »