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FETCO calls on the federal government to adopt new tools to improve labour stability and supply chain reliability for collective bargaining disputes in federally regulated sectors
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OTTAWA, Ontario, Sept. 01, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The escalating trade dispute between Canada and the U.S. is causing profound disruption and uncertainty for businesses, investors, and consumers. Now, it is more important than ever that Canada protect its economy with reliable supply chains that can support the Carney government’s strong trade diversification and investment agenda. Against this critical backdrop, it can no longer be “business as usual” when it comes to labour stability.
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Federally Regulated Employers – Transportation and Communications (FETCO) and its members urge the government to rapidly introduce amendments to the Canada Labour Code.
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Critical amendments are needed to create a special mediator — as recommended in the government-commissioned Industrial Inquiry Commission on West Coast Ports — and constitutionally valid safeguards to avoid strikes that clearly impair the national public interest. Canada must improve labour stability in our critical transportation supply chains so that we are seen as a trusted and reliable trading partner as the Carney government seeks to diversify our trading relationships around the world.
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“A trade deal is only as good as our ability to deliver on it,” said Derrick Hynes, President and CEO of FETCO. “The recent WestJet dispute showed exactly how fast labour conflict can hit consumers and businesses – and how a single disruption in a critical industry can spiral into a national economic crisis overnight. This isn’t an isolated incident. We’ve seen the same pattern play out in our ports and our railways, year after year.”
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When labour disputes shut down most operations at Canada’s West Coast ports for a combined 24 days in 2023 and 2024, it disrupted cargo worth $19.2 billion. A total rail stoppage would be equally devastating, estimated to cost $341 million per day. Work stoppage costs are ultimately paid for by Canadian businesses, workers and consumers — and they damage Canada’s reputation as a reliable trading partner.
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According to Statistics Canada, the number of person-days not worked due to labour disputes over the past three years is, on average, over 1.1 million per year. In each of the last three years, this total exceeded the previous 10-year period combined (2013-2022).
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Each of those days carries a real cost, and real consequences. It’s the small business that can’t get its products to store shelves, a farmer whose grain rots because it can’t reach the port in time, or the medical shipment that doesn’t make it to the person who needs it most.
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The Carney government has clearly shown it recognizes this is a problem directly at odds with the goal of growing the strongest economy in the G7, and we appreciate their focus on finding solutions. Now is the time for action.