Ontario Chamber Calls on Federal Government to Limit Canada-Wide Rail Stoppage

(Toronto, August 22, 2024) – Today, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce’s (OCC) President and CEO, Daniel Tisch, released a statement following the announcement of a work stoppage on Canada’s Class I Railways:

“Ontario and Canada’s reliance on our railway systems cannot be understated. As rail is the primary means of transporting $380 billion worth of goods every year, this stoppage will jeopardize critical food, automotive and construction materials supply chains, costing the economy millions of dollars per day.

“Prolonged action would also result in serious harm at a time when our international trading partners look to Ontario and Canada as a source of critical minerals, energy resources and more.

“We call on the Government of Canada to intervene immediately, exploring all options at its disposal to limit the impact of this disruption.”

Under section 107 of the Canada Labour Code, the Minister of Labour can refer the dispute to the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) for binding arbitration and prohibit a strike, lockout or end any ongoing stoppage pending a resolution. The government also has the option to reconvene Parliament and introduce back-to-work legislation.

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About the Ontario Chamber of Commerce
The Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) is the indispensable partner of business and Canada’s largest, most influential provincial chamber. It is an independent, non-profit advocacy and member services organization representing a diverse network of 60,000 members. The OCC’s mission is to convene, align and advance the interests of its members through principled policy work, value-added business services and broad engagement to drive competitiveness and sustainable, inclusive economic growth in the province.

For more information, please contact:
Samir Janmohamed
Senior Public Affairs Specialist
Ontario Chamber of Commerce
samirjanmohamed@occ.ca | Mobile: (647) 882-9878