CIAC applauds Minister MacKinnon’s action to end port disruptions, calls for long-term solutions  

November 12, 2024

The Chemistry Industry Association of Canada (CIAC) applauds Federal Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon on taking action in the labour disruption affecting both British Columbia and Montreal ports by directing the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) to order a full resumption of operations and send negotiations into binding arbitration. 

“We thank the Government of Canada and Minister MacKinnon in ensuring that this work stoppage did not go any further,” said Bob Masterson, President and CEO of CIAC. 

“Following the serious 2023 West Coast port labour disruption, the Government of Canada identified the need for long-term solutions to avoid regular shutdowns of Canada’s vital trade infrastructure. Then in 2024 we saw work stoppages at both Class 1 railways and our three largest ports. The government needs to turn these discussions into a plan of action to avoid these harmful disruptions to our trade infrastructure.” 

In 2023 there was more than $8 billion of chemistry and plastic products traded through the west coast – that is about $22 million each day. This includes products that go into making chlorine and related products for municipal drinking water and exports of organic chemicals and resins to global markets. 

Canada has a limited number of ports that are capable of handling large container ships that are capable of shipping goods to foreign markets. Continued disruptions signal the wrong message to our trading partners and companies who want to invest in Canada; that Canada cannot be relied on to get their products where they need to go. 

CIAC looks forward to working with the government and key stakeholders to deliver a long-term solution that will keep employees’ interests in mind while maintaining critical supply chain infrastructure.