Due to last summer's drought which dried up pastures across the Prairie provinces, western Canadian cattle producers have been dependent this winter on CP Rail shipments of imported corn from the
If the trains don't start moving, Bekkering said he and many others will be out of livestock feed within one to three weeks.
"It's got the anxiety levels up quite high among cattle feeders, for sure," said Bekkering, who is also the chair of the
Bekkering and many other customers of CP Rail called on the federal government Monday to introduce back-to-work legislation as a work stoppage at the
Approximately 3,000 conductors, engineers and train and yard workers with CP Rail were off the job Sunday. The company and the union representing the workers, the
Those talks continued Monday in
"I don't intend to leave until we have an agreement," O'Regan said Monday. "I am optimistic, with people at the table and not leaving, that we will reach the deal that Canadians demand and want as soon as possible."
Industry groups say the stakes are particularly high, given that the CP Rail shutdown comes at a time when many businesses are already dealing with supply chain difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, extreme weather, and the recent blockades of border crossings by protesters.
“We’re asking for all parties to find a very, very quick resolution," said
"We appreciate the fact that they're back at the table today ... That said, if it becomes evident that there is simply no negotiated outcome possible, we would encourage the government to look at other options."
Fertilizer
She said that could cause food prices to spike given the war in
Proud said the fertilizer industry believes it's time to introduce back-to-work legislation.
"We certainly respect the collective bargaining process, but clearly these two groups haven’t been able to reach an agreement. And now the government needs to act immediately," she said.
"Some of our members who produce fertilizer, don’t have the storage capacity if product isn't being shipped out on the rails, so we’re looking at being days away from potentially having to shut down our production of fertilizer.”
"If there is that lengthy protracted service disruption, that will cause
However, O'Regan indicated over the weekend that the government believes the best deal is reached at the bargaining table. And while business and industry voices are calling on the government to use all tools at its disposal to bring an end to the work stoppage, labour advocates say talks need to be allowed to progress.
“We hope that the negotiations will be allowed to continue with mediation and that we avoid intervention by government," said
"Let me be clear, back-to-work legislation is not needed.“
NDP Leader
"The fact that it's already something that's being raised before workers have a chance to negotiate sends a message to employers that they don't have to negotiate," Singh said. "And that's wrong."
"But this is only day two, and the fact that the two sides have indicated they would like to keep talking is a hopeful sign," said Nash, a former NDP MP.
"There's a great deal of pressure right now on all sides, and this kind of pressure can focus the mind in a way that months-long bargaining might not."
— With files from
This report by
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