(Calgary) Industry groups that depend on the Canadian Pacific Railway for shipping goods are pleading with the federal government to intervene as the work stoppage at the Calgary Railroad continues into its second day.
Posted at 1:58 p.m.
Leaders of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association and the National Cattle Feeders Association were in Ottawa Monday, urging the government to immediately end the work stoppage they say could devastate their industry.
“If those trains don’t run, we may only have two weeks of feed left,” said Canadian Cattlemen’s Association President Bob Lowe, explaining that cattlemen in the Western Canada was dependent on rail shipments of animal feed from the United States this year in the wake of last summer’s drought and resulting widespread shortage of forage.
“There is no plan B. We have no other source of food. »
Fertilizer Canada CEO Karen Proud said the work stoppage couldn’t come at a worse time.
“We are, in Canada, about four to six weeks out from the planting season. […] which means farmers might not get all the fertilizer they need,” Ms.me Proud, adding that the situation was particularly worrying this year given the war in Ukraine and its impact on global fertilizer supplies as well as wheat and other grain prices.
“The concern, for the average consumer, is that if we are not able to maximize our (crop) yields […] food prices are likely to rise. »
Industry leaders and politicians are urging Labor Secretary Seamus O’Regan to end the labor dispute. Some 3,000 drivers, mechanics and other workers have been off work since the weekend.
The company and union blamed each other for causing the work stoppage, though both also said they were still talking to federal mediators on Sunday.
Canadian Chamber of Commerce President Perrin Beatty has argued that Minister O’Regan must immediately introduce legislation to mandate a return to work. He warned that the consequences for the supply chain – already strained by the COVID-19 pandemic and uncertainty in northern Europe – could be severe.
The House of Commons resumed Monday after a two-week break, so the legislation could come immediately if the government wants it.
Mr. O’Regan was in Calgary on Monday and said in an emailed statement that he would stay there until the two sides reached an agreement.
“Canadians expect them to do so as soon as possible,” said O’Regan.