NDP HOLD UP GRAIN SHIPMENTS ON THE PRAIRIES
“The NDP are opposing our government's back-to-work legislation for CN strikers."

OTTAWA — Just how little the NDP care about agriculture in Saskatchewan became clearer today as they once again did their best to prevent the Conservative government from ending the hold-up of grain shipments by Canadian National Railway Co. (CN). “The NDP talk a good line about how much they care about agriculture, but their actions contradict their words,” stated Garry Breitkreuz, M.P. for Yorkton-Melville in response to events in the House of Commons April 17, 2007.

The Conservative government introduced legislation Tuesday to fast-track Bill-C46, which was originally tabled in February. The bill will put an end to the week-long CN strike and lock-out, and get grain and agriculture products moving to the Vancouver port and to international grain buyers. NDP Leader Jack Layton said his MPs will not give the government unanimous consent to fast-track the legislation.

“Canadian farmers are once again paying the price for a factor beyond their control, yet Jack Layton and the NDP find this acceptable,” said Breitkreuz. “This strike is not a simple inconvenience; this is major money coming out of the pockets of our producers.”

The Stephen Harper government introduced legislation in the House immediately after Easter break, “to provide for the resumption and continuation of rail operations,” said Breitkreuz. “I am disgusted with the NDP for holding up this legislation. I hope farmers are going to call the NDP Premier of Saskatchewan and pressure him tell Jack Layton to back off and allow this to pass through Parliament quickly. Doesn’t the Premier of Saskatchewan have any influence with Jack Layton and his federal counterparts?” asked Breitkreuz.

The 15-day strike staged in February by CN conductors and yard-service workers caused Canadian exports to slump by 2.1 per cent, representing $1 billion. For the agriculture industry, lost sales and the estimated $150,000 per day in demurrage fees came out of the pockets of Canadian farmers, who have no control over CN contracts or negotiations.

The February strike ended when an agreement was reached between members of the United Transportation Union, representing the 2,800 conductors and yard workers, and CN. The conductors and yard-service workers started rotating strikes last week after almost 80 per cent of members who voted "no" to the February agreement. CN has since locked out union members who had participated in the strikes.

“The railways are an essential link in the grain shipping chain,” sated Breitkreuz, “and it’s time accountability to our farmers was built into the grain transportation. Canadian farmers should not be paying for a union’s railway strike. Our back-to-work legislation is an important step toward realizing the importance of an accountable, reliable rail system to the agriculture industry.”

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