Christopher Reynolds An Air Canada Boeing 737 MAX 8 jet arrives at Halifax Stanfield International Airport on Friday, April 9, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan April 12, 2021 - 9:07 PM OTTAWA - After months of negotiations, Ottawa has reached a multibillion-dollar rescue deal with Air Canada that will give the government an equity stake in the pandemic-battered airline. Under the agreement, Air Canada can access up to $5.9 billion from the public purse but must refund passengers whose flights were cancelled due to COVID-19, cap executive compensation at $1 million and restore service to regional airports. The package, which will see the federal government pay $500 million for a six-per-cent stake in the country's biggest airline, also requires the carrier to maintain employment at current levels or higher.