'Unacceptable': Business groups say rail stoppage would hit grain, groceries and more
CTV
An impending labour stoppage on Canada's two national railways has riled industry groups who worry consumers and businesses will be hit hard if goods ranging from grains to french fries to petrochemicals can't be moved.
An impending labour stoppage on Canada's two national railways has riled industry groups who worry consumers and businesses will be hit hard if goods ranging from grains to french fries to petrochemicals can't be moved.
Canadian National Railway Co. and Canadian Pacific Kansas City Ltd. have already begun a phased shutdown of their networks as the deadline approaches to come to an agreement with the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference for a new labour contract.
Unless deals are reached, the companies plan to lock out workers early Thursday and the union says it's prepared to call a strike that day.
Both railways move $1 billion worth of goods per day. Grain, fertilizer and lumber would be among the products most affected, say industry groups.
"We are right on the edge of harvest season, and harvest is food, and food is perishable. So any kind of a delay or even a backlog could really seriously impact this year's harvest season," Scott Crockatt, vice-president with the Business Council of Alberta, said in an interview.
"I think if there is a real stoppage on both national rail lines for the first time ever, it is going to, frankly, affect basically every area of our economy."
Crockatt said some products, such as fungicide used for harvesting, have already stopped moving.
