Saskatchewan bracing for railroad strike which could have billion-dollar impact

A railway strike is only days away if an agreement between the CN and Canadian Pacific railways and their unions is not reached. Saskatchewan is sounding the alarm.

Saskatchewan farmers and businesses alike are bracing for the potential railway stoppage that could be now just days away.

Experts estimate a strike by CP and CN Railways could cause losses as high as $1 billion a day.

A last-minute push is now underway to keep the trains going and save harvest season across the Prairies. The strike could begin as soon as Thursday.

“This strike will affect every single Canadian and every single person in Saskatchewan,” said Pam Schwann, president of the Saskatchewan Mining Association.

Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan president Ian Boxall echoed the sentiment, saying a rail stoppage would undoubtedly cause problems across the country.

“Thirty-three billion dollars worth of grain is exported out of Canada every year,” Boxall said. “A potential work stoppage by the railroads would be a huge detriment to Canadian producers, to Saskatchewan producers, and overall to the Canadian economy.”

Boxall said he believes any damage to Canada’s supply chain could impact global trade relations.

“If you’re a country that’s relying on a product you’re buying from Canada and every year we face issues, they might go somewhere else to find the product,” Boxall said.