OTTAWA, ON,Fertilizer Canada is calling on the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC) and Unifor to promptly come to an agreement to end the strike that has shut down the St. Lawrence Seaway. Fall is a crucial time in Eastern Canada for the import of fertilizer shipments in preparation for spring. Ensuring fertilizer is available to farmers for spring application is essential to protect crop yields and food security.
"The fertilizer industry depends on reliable supply chains to get our products to farmers," says Karen Proud, President and CEO Fertilizer Canada. "Any disruption to the supply chain, even for a day or two, impedes our industry's ability to deliver products in a timely manner."
While we respect the collective bargaining process, shutting down the St. Lawrence Seaway will have damaging impacts on Canada's economy. This is the second labour dispute in the last four months that has shut down Canadian ports that are crucial to Canada's supply chains. The federal government must support the expeditious resolution of this strike to protect Canada's trade. Geopolitical events, like the war in Ukraine, have put pressure on the global fertilizer supply, and dependable supply chains are essential to Canada's reputation as a reliable and stable trading partner.
"This strike is one of many disruptions we have seen recently and underscores the importance of strengthening Canada's supply chains," says Proud. "Once this labour disruption is resolved, the government needs to accelerate the recommendations of the 2022 National Supply Chain Task Force, which includes addressing systemic labour-dispute delays."