A major Canadian budget airline is facing criticism after a staff member reportedly tore up a family’s boarding pass and incorrectly informed an elderly passenger that filming was prohibited when their flight was bumped.

Jason Huang and his family, including his 73-year-old father, were at Edmonton International Airport in August, prepared to board a WestJet flight to Toronto. Upon arrival, they learned at the check-in desk that their flight had been switched to a smaller aircraft, requiring them to take a later flight, as reported by CBC.

Huang questioned the staff about why his family was removed from their initial flight, but the agents did not provide a clear explanation. In response, Huang began recording the interaction to support a future compensation claim.

Once he started recording, a WestJet agent told Huang he had “no right” to film the situation and threatened to involve the authorities.

“You’re not flying today,” the agent is heard saying in the recording. “Put that phone down!”

Huang claims that an agent snatched his phone and tore up the family’s boarding passes during the tense back-and-forth exchange.

Huang said his 73-year-old father tried to record the incident as well — but suffered a swollen eye amid the physical confrontation.

“I can’t believe this is happening in Canada,” Huang told the outlet.

A WestJet spokesperson told the CBC in a statement that the airline “promptly investigated” the incident, apologized to the guests, and would conduct “internal follow up.”

Huang said he applied for compensation through the Air Passenger Protection Regulations, but WestJet refused.

Seeing no other alternative, he said he filed a complaint with the Canadian Transportation Agency.

The incident came to light after the budget Canadian airline announced in October that customers will no longer be able to recline seats on its aircraft — unless they pay extra.

The carrier said it is updating the interiors of its Boeing 737-8 MAX and 737-800 aircraft as part of a push for a “modern cabin experience.”

The refreshed economy section will include fixed-recline seats designed to maintain personal space.

“The cabin has been thoughtfully designed to offer WestJet’s welcoming service at every budget,” Samantha Taylor, WestJet Executive Vice-President and Chief Experience Officer, said in a statement.

“It reflects our commitment to elevating every aspect of the travel experience and meeting guest demand for a broader range of product offerings.”