In this submission, CFA emphasized that Canadian farmers rely heavily on rail and marine transport for timely delivery of inputs and products, and disruptions, such as strikes or lockouts, create severe financial and operational consequences, including lost markets, spoiled goods, and reputational damage to Canada as a trading partner.
To address these challenges, CFA recommended:
- stakeholder consultations to prevent recurring disputes
- a transparent and expedited dispute resolution process with a Special Mediator
- amendments to the Canada Labour Code to ensure essential services continue during strikes.
CFA stressed that modernized labour relations are critical to safeguarding food security and maintaining Canada’s competitiveness in global markets.