The Wheat Growers Association is calling upon the Hon. Seamus O’Regan, Minister of Labour, to provide strong leadership in addressing the pending union-led strike action on Canada’s railways. “We have reached the point of uncertainty where the Minister needs to step up and find a solution between the union and the railways,” stated Daryl Fransoo, Chair.
Over the past month, the Wheat Growers have communicated twice with the Minister and the Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) regarding the impact a rail strike will have on agriculture, grain exports, and the national economy. Correspondence can be found here: O’Regan #1; O’Regan #2 and CIRB. To date, we have not received a reply from the Minister.
The imminent strike by the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) members of the Canadian Pacific Kansas City Railway (CPKC) and Canadian National Railway (CN) threatens to disrupt the transportation of critical supplies such as fertilizers and grains during this crucial growing season. The railways are an essential lifeline for moving our products to market, and any disruption can have devastating consequences not only for our livelihoods but also for the food security of Canadians and our international reputation as a reliable supplier.
We understand the anxiety and uncertainty this situation brings to farmers and the food supply chain. “We will persist in our advocacy efforts, pushing for immediate government intervention and proactive measures to protect our industry. This includes ongoing correspondence and discussions with key policymakers to ensure they understand the full impact of the rail strike on our operations and food security,” closed Fransoo.
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