By Alice McFarlane

CFA pleased to see rail service disruption end

Aug 23, 2024 | 10:23 AM

The Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) said the Labour Minister acted in the best interests of Canadians, including farmers, by invoking Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code and directing the Canada Industrial Relations Board to impose binding arbitration.

CFA President Keith Currie said while there will be residual impacts on farmers from the gradual shutdown of service in the lead up to the lockout and the complete shutdown yesterday, a prolonged nationwide disruption of rail service would have severely impacted Canadian farmers and the Canadian economy for weeks and months to come.

CFA President Keith Currie said the Minister’s decision to step in and force a resolution to the disruption was the right thing to do.

“The reputation of Canada’s farmers and ranchers as a trusted food supplier, both domestically and internationally was at risk with this lockout,” Currie said.

CFA also stated it was encouraged by the Minister’s commitment to examine the conditions leading to repeated labour disruptions in the rail sector. The agriculture sector has faced several labour disruptions in the past few years, including eight work stoppages over the past six years alone.

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Currie added he hopes rail service will be fully restored as soon as possible, and that the CPKC work stoppage is also resolved quickly to avoid the severe consequences that a prolonged disruption will cause.

CFA represents over 190,000 farm families across Canada.

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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @farmnewsNOW