Federal Liberal government urged to intervene to end CN strike

OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s new cabinet could find itself moving faster than anticipated to deal with anger in the West over challenging economic conditions, in the face of a rail strike that a growing number of industry leaders say could trigger layoffs and closures, and cost millions.

The Liberals are being urged to step in with legislation to end the strike by roughly 3,200 Canadian

National Railway Co. workers, which began early Tuesday after the workers and CN failed to reach a deal.

The governments of Alberta and Saskatchewan, along with federal Opposition Leader Andrew Scheer, have already pledged to keep the Liberals’ feet to the fire when it comes to responding to the demands and needs of the West. All three on Tuesday urged Trudeau to act fast to deal with the strike.

Trudeau unveils his new cabinet on Wednesday before the planned return of Parliament Dec. 5, but Scheer and Alberta officials called on him to bring legislators back sooner.

“For farmers in Alberta, Saskatchewan and across Canada, every day counts. They need to move their product to markets now,” Scheer said in a statement on Twitter posted Tuesday afternoon.

“I join the Alberta government’s call for Justin Trudeau to immediately recall Parliament

to enact emergency legislation and get the CN Rail shipments moving.”

Patty Hajdu, the current labour minister, said Ottawa understands the importance of the rail industry.

“While we are concerned about the impact of a work stoppage on Canadians, we remain hopeful they will reach an agreement,” Hajdu said in a statement.

“The government of Canada supports and has faith in the collective bargaining process.”

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said Parliament needs to give the workers and company an opportunity to negotiate in good faith and his party would fight efforts to interfere.

Both sides need to be encouraged to find a resolution, he said.

Addressing the anger of voters in the West — the Liberals won no seats in Alberta or Saskatchewan in October — is one of the government’s main challenges.