Left to right: CWA CEO Chris Lane, Federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau, Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister David Marit, Regina Mayor Michael Fougere, CWA President Chris Lees. (Alice McFarlane/farmnewsNOW Staff)

By Alice McFarlane

Agribition

CN rail strike discussed at Agribition

Nov 25, 2019 | 3:19 PM

While dignitaries gathered for the opening of Canadian Western Agribition (CWA) the strike by CN Rail workers and its impact on the agriculture sector was on the minds of officials.

Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister David Marit said he would be meeting with his federal counterpart Marie-Claude Bibeau and his message is clear.

“The time for waiting is over. It’s time for them to get the parties back together to the table. It’s time to get the trains moving,” he said. “We’ll start to see a backlog, it’s having a huge impact.”

Marit said the concerns are compounded with winter setting in soon.

“There’s ships waiting in the harbour, there’s demurrage charges. We have a reputation at stake as a trading partner,” he said.

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Bibeau said she is staying in contact with the ministers of transport and labour.

“They are working on this file. My part as minister of agriculture is to make sure they get all the information they need to have to appreciate the range of the impact on our sectors,” she said.

Bibeau said the government wants to see the situation resolved.

“We still believe in the negotiation process. They are still around the table and we are pushing both parties to come to an agreement,” she said. “This would be the best for all parties and the fast solution as well. We’re evaluating the situation on a steady basis.”

Bibeau was asked if back to work legislation would be considered.

“Every option is on the table but for the time being we hope both parties will come to an agreement,” she said.

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alice.mcfarlane@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @AliceMcF