WINCHESTER, ON – With numerous local farmers being advised that their propane shipments have been halted due to the CN rail strike, local Member of Parliament for Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry Eric Duncan called for the House of Commons to reconvene immediately to address the situation. If no urgent action is taken, the consequences could be another serious blow to the local and national economy.
“Today, I am calling on the government to immediately recall Parliament and table emergency legislation that would show both sides of this dispute that the government is serious about ending the strike. That move could result in an agreement being reached much sooner. We must convene Parliament immediately to get CN back on the job and to avoid the pain and economic issues an ongoing strike would cause for Canada,” Eric Duncan said.
Grain and oilseeds farmers are currently struggling with weather conditions to harvest their fields. The halt to propane shipments for their dryers has forced farms to shut down as supply of propane runs out and farmers cannot continue operations. In addition, livestock farms (i.e. turkey, pork,) are lacking access to propane to heat their buildings.
CN Rail is one of two main rail networks that Canadians uses to ship consumer goods and exports of propane, canola, wheat, potash and other resources. The company carries $250 billion worth of goods annually.
“I have spoke with many farmers in the past 24 hours who agree that propane services are a priority for homeowners who need to heat their homes. However, our farmers have already had a very difficult year with the weather, global trade uncertainty, and now this situation. It is another crippling blow to farmers when they have already been struggling this year. We need to get the rail cars moving again immediately,” Duncan said.
A House of Commons e-petition can be signed in support of immediately recalling Parliament to end the CN Strike online at www.EricDuncanMP.ca/petition.
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For more information:
Adrian Bugelli
Executive Assistant to Member of Parliament Eric Duncan
613-937-3331
