As the Ridge Meadows Chamber of Commerce continues to advocate for the needs of our local business community, the impending work stoppage at Canadian National Railway (CN) and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) has become a significant concern. Both the Chamber’s CEO, Kristi Maier, and President, Jerry Kok, have expressed grave apprehension about the potential impact on our region, particularly with regard to the West Coast Express, a critical transportation link for Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, and surrounding areas.

Kristi Maier: The West Coast Express is a Lifeline

Kristi Maier, CEO of the Ridge Meadows Chamber of Commerce, underscored the vital role the West Coast Express plays in our communities. "The West Coast Express is more than just a train service; it’s a lifeline for thousands of commuters in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows," Maier stated. "The indefinite service outage caused by the CPKC lockout threatens to disrupt daily life for our residents and workforce, leading to serious economic consequences. We urge the federal government to take immediate action to prevent this strike from happening."

The ripple effects of such a service disruption extend beyond just inconveniences for commuters. With the West Coast Express out of commission, businesses in our area could face staffing shortages, reduced productivity, and ultimately, lost sales and revenue. The timing couldn’t be worse, as our community is still recovering from the economic challenges of the past few years.

Jerry Kok: Protecting Our Business Community

Ridge Meadows Chamber President, Jerry Kok, echoed these concerns, particularly highlighting the potential blow to our local economy. "We are deeply concerned about the impact that the impending work stoppage of CN Rail and CPKC will have on our business community," said Kok. "Already, we’re seeing a slowdown at the Port of Vancouver as some ships are being diverted in preparation for a potential backlog of goods. The consequences of a full work stoppage could be devastating."

Kok emphasized that the business community in Ridge Meadows, like many others across the country, has already faced unprecedented challenges over the past few years. From the COVID-19 pandemic to supply chain disruptions, the resilience of our local businesses has been tested time and again. "It is imperative that this work stoppage is averted. We are calling on the Federal Government to take immediate action in this dispute, whether through binding arbitration or back-to-work legislation."

A Broader Coalition Calls for Action

The Ridge Meadows Chamber of Commerce is not alone in this call to action. A coalition of national business groups, including the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, Business Council of Canada, Canadian Federation of Independent Business, and Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters, has issued a joint statement urging Ottawa to ensure the continuation of rail services. The groups highlighted the unprecedented nature of this potential work stoppage, with a total of 9,300 employees at both CN and CPKC poised to walk off the job, marking the first-ever simultaneous work stoppage at Canada’s largest rail companies.

With trains from CN and CPKC hauling a combined $1 billion worth of goods daily, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The potential disruption to the flow of goods, not just in our community but across the country, could lead to significant economic fallout.

Looking Ahead: Federal Government's Role

As the clock ticks down to the potential work stoppage, the federal government faces mounting pressure to intervene. Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon has maintained that the parties involved should reach a deal independently, but the looming economic impact has many calling for a more proactive approach.

The Ridge Meadows Chamber of Commerce will continue to monitor this situation closely and advocate for our community’s interests. We remain hopeful that a resolution can be reached swiftly to avoid the significant disruptions that would ensue.

Stay tuned for further updates as this critical situation develops.