'We need a way to resolve work stoppages to keep our railways and ports open for business,' says senator

Canada's largest unions have condemned a Senate committee report that recommends Ottawa be empowered to halt strikes and impose contracts through binding arbitration in the rail and marine sectors.

The report, Keep Canada Moving, was released by the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications after it heard 45 witnesses and received 36 briefs. Its centrepiece is a call to create a Supply Chain Reliability Act or amend the Canada Labour Code to establish a permanent, independent tribunal with marine and rail expertise.

According to the recommendation, where the tribunal judged a stoppage would harm the national interest, it would impose mediation and arbitration, with a mediator-arbitrator involved from the start of bargaining. If no deal emerged, the Governor in Council could ultimately order binding arbitration and prohibit the strike or lockout.

“Tariffs and trade tensions are already straining Canada’s economy — another rail or port strike could be disastrous,” said Senator David Wells, Chair of the committee. “It’s clear that the current system for addressing labour disruptions isn’t fit for purpose. We need a new way to resolve work stoppages to keep our railways and ports open for business.”

Recently, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) called on the federal government to prioritise supply chain stability in any reforms to the...

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