OTTAWA, Aug 16 (Reuters) - The Canadian government on

Saturday moved to end a strike by Air Canada ( ACDVF ) flight

attendants, saying it needed to act now to prevent lasting

economic damage.

Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu said she had asked the Canada

Industrial Relations Board to impose binding arbitration on both

sides and order an immediate end to the dispute.

"I have exercised my authorities under Section 107 of the

Canadian Labor Code to direct the Canada Industrial Relations

Board to order the parties to resume and continue their

operations and duties in order to secure industrial peace and

protect the interests of Canada, Canadians and the economy," she

said.