With a rail strike looming on Thursday, Aug. 22 that could lead to a work stoppage and a shutdown of Canada’s main supply chain for goods transportation, the Prince George Chamber of Commerce is calling for immediate action from the federal government to intervene to keep those trains moving.
“The Government of Canada has a responsibility to protect the Canadian public and maintain national security, and it is time to act decisively to fulfill that obligation,” said the chamber in a media release issued Wednesday, Aug. 21. “Under Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code, the Minister of Labour can refer the dispute to the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) for binding arbitration and prohibit a strike, lockout or end any ongoing stoppage pending a resolution. Alternatively, the government can also reconvene Parliament and introduce back-to-work legislation.”
A labour dispute could lead to Canadian National Railway and Canadian Pacific Kansas City locking out thousands of workers starting early Thursday unless a deal can be hammered out with the union, which represents 9,300 engineers, conductors and yard workers.
Canada’s rail lines daily distribute $1 billion worth of goods and commodities across North America and to ports that ship products overseas to international buyers.
A letter sent by the Prince George Chamber in May to the CIRB highlighted the importance of CN Rail’s intermodal terminal facility in downtown Prince George and how it serves as an essential distribution hub that moves goods dozens of rural and remote communities and First Nations reserves in north central B.C.
Prince George is the halfway point of the rail trip from the port of Prince Rupert on rail car journeys to Edmonton.
Prince George Chamber executive director Neil Godbout said the chamber added its name to a joint letter from business groups across Canada sent to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that requested intervention to prevent a rail service disruption.
On Wednesday, the PG Chamber sent letters to Prince George MPs Todd Doherty and Bob Zimmer urging them to pressure the federal government to act.
It is estimated that for every one-day work stoppage that shuts down the supply chain in Canada it will take five days to recover for businesses expecting goods to arrive by rail.
“The chamber respects the right to collective bargaining. This is not about siding with either party, however. It is about standing up for the welfare of Prince George and area residents, as well as all Canadians. The federal government must show leadership and act before our trains – and with them, our economy – grind to a halt.
“Otherwise, the steep price of inaction will be paid by local families, workers, and businesses.”
