Port Metro Vancouver is wants the government to legislate an immediate end to the labour dispute between Canadian Pacific (CP) and the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC), the union representing CP engineers, conductors and rail traffic controllers in Canada.
In a press release issued Sunday, the port acknowledged that both sides were continuing to work toward a resolution, but said that the pressures on the supply chain were becoming severe.
Approximately $200 million of cargo is traded through the Port of Vancouver every day and the stoppage will have a potential $545 million-a-week impact on Canada's economy.
The port is calling on federal labour minister Lisa Raitt to immediately introduce the act to provide for the continuation and resumption of rail service operations legislation.
Port Metro Vancouver CEO Robin Silvester said, "The strike has already had significant economic and long-term reputational effects on the gateway. Mines, plants and operations down the supply chain are facing shutdowns.
"We are disappointed that the two parties have not been able to come to a resolution without intervention from government. As such, we are calling on the government and Minister Raitt to immediately bring the stoppage to an end by introducing the necessary legislation."
According to the release, each day of continued work stoppage of CP operations has significant consequences not only for port operations, but also the Canadian economy and the long-term reputation of Canada's Pacific gateway.
For each day of CP labour disruption it could take at least four to five days for the supply chain to return to normal after the dispute.
Matthew Hoag, general manager at DP World Vancouver, said, "This strike has the potential to have a significant impact on our container carrier customers and the importers and exporters who rely on our services."
