Air Canada is on the receiving end of some fiery criticism from a New Brunswick cabinet minister for cancelling a Monday flight that would have taken him and four officials to a meeting in Regina.

In a series of tweets posted Saturday Dominic Cardy, the province's education minister, described the airline as incompetent, adding that the cancellation _ announced earlier that day _ means New Brunswick will not have representation at this year's meeting of the Council of Ministers of Education.

He then followed up by calling for the deregulation of Canada's airline industry.

His comments sparked an online debate, with some people asking the minister why his delegation had to attend in-person rather than taking part in a Zoom call, which would save taxpayers money.

In response, Cardy said he doesn't run the council, and he doubled down by suggesting that "incompetent and coddled airlines" that take money for services they know they can't deliver could be committing fraud.

While Air Canada could not be immediately reached for comment, last week the national air carrier announced it would cut more than 15 per cent of its schedule in July and August _ more than 9,500 flights _ due to an air transport system bogged down by surging demand.