BC Port Closure: Sask. The Prime Minister calls for federal involvement to end the strike

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe is calling on the federal government to intervene and end the current labor standoff affecting ports in B.C.

Moe shared a letter from Saskatchewan’s ministers of highways, energy and resources, agriculture, trade and export development, addressed to several federal ministries, emphasizing the need for a quick resolution to the labor dispute.

“Canada and Saskatchewan’s success in monitoring markets depends on our exporters delivering quality products on time,” the letter said. “A labor dispute can cause delays, giving global competitors an advantage.”

On Nov. 4, the BC Maritime Employers Association excluded approximately 700 foremen from ILWU Local 514.

The association’s action came in response to a strike announcement from the union.

Federal mediators are on site to help both sides reach an agreement. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has given no indication whether the federal government will take action to end the dispute.

“We are grateful that the federal government did the right thing when many of these same economic powerhouses were threatened with rail disruption, and we would ask them to do the same today,” Moe said in his message to X.

The lockout is just the latest disruption to trade in the region. In 2023, operations at 30 terminals in BC were halted for 13 days

The Greater Vancouver Board of Trade estimated the disruption disrupted $10.7 billion in trade.

The letter then called for decisive action given the costs to Saskatchewan producers and businesses.

“This work stoppage follows the rail closure in August, and most producers have limited storage capacity to mitigate the impact of a second disruption,” the report said.

“We urge the federal government to encourage the resolution of labor disputes at the ports and implement measures to prevent work stoppages while a new collective agreement between the ILWU 514 and BCEMA is negotiated.”

-With files from Ben Miljure of CTV Vancouver