Rail strike concerns grow after CIRB decision

Following Friday's decision from the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB), the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS) continues to urge Canadian National Railway (CN), Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) and Teamsters Canada to reach a prompt resolution and avert any disruptions in rail service.

APAS also calls on the federal government to explore all options to prevent simultaneous work stoppages at both railways, to avoid financial damage to Saskatchewan's agricultural producers, and to safeguard our trading relationships with international customers.

The CIRB decision opens the door for workers at both CN and CPKC to take strike action as soon as Aug. 22, threatening billions of dollars in agricultural exports across the country.

Canadian grain exports totalled $36.2 billion in 2023, with Saskatchewan making up over half of those exports, and 94 per cent of Canadian grain shipped by rail. In Saskatchewan, farmers rely heavily on the timely transportation of grain to ports, with an average distance of 1,850 kilometres by rail to market destinations.

As harvest season approaches, a rail disruption could see farmers face delayed payments, as well as impact storage of on-farm inventory, jeopardizing producers’ cash flow and financial obligations.

The ability of Saskatchewan farmers to market their grain is also vital to the Canadian economy and to maintaining our nation's reputation as a dependable trading partner.