August 22, 2024 | Advertise with us

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Rail labour disruption could mean higher prices and fewer goods

For the first time, Canadian National Railway (CN) and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) are both on the brink of locking out thousands of workers amidst negotiations.

The companies say they will start locking out workers in this morning’s early hours if they cannot reach a deal with the union representing 9,300 engineers, conductors and yard workers. That would bring the roughly $1 billion worth of goods that move on the companies' tracks every day to a sudden stop.

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe told Evan Bray that the federal government needs to step up with a binding arbitration mandate, saying “We want to ensure that the folks that are working on the rail lines are being treated fairly as well, but we do need the service, and we need it desperately.”

Moe also said yesterday that he had spoken with federal Labour minister Steve MacKinnon, saying a rail stoppage would have a “devastating effect” on the country’s economy.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland called on the railways and unions to get a deal done, saying, "We simply cannot afford, we cannot tolerate, a self-inflicted wound. And that is why I am saying with real seriousness to the companies and to the union — your country is counting on you. Your friends, your neighbours, your relatives, every single one of them needs you to do your job, take your responsibility seriously and get a deal."

The potential rail strike will impact both the availability and price of commodities and groceries. If items are transported by truck instead of train - if possible - it will take longer and be more expensive.

CEO of Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership Chris Dekker warned of the strike and lockout’s detrimental impact saying, “Any disruption of that critical infrastructure could be very detrimental to Saskatchewan’s economy and Saskatchewan’s farmers, producers, manufacturers and business people.”

You can read a more fulsome report on reactions from various industries here.

Sponsored by the Saskatchewan Heavy Construction Association

Learn more about the great work the Saskatchewan Heavy Construction Association and its members are doing at saskheavy.ca.

Sask. Party nominates candidate in Prince Albert Carlton

The Saskatchewan Party held a contested nomination in Prince Albert Carlton last night and local members nominated Kevin Kasun as their candidate.

Kasun has worked for Canada Post as well as with Corrections.

The party needed to find a new candidate after incumbent MLA Joe Hargrave announced his departure from the provincial scene earlier this summer. The riding made provincial news after one nomination candidate faced controversy. The NDP have had their candidate, local nurse Carolyn Brost Strom, nominated for over a year.

Kasun is the 58th of 61 candidates nominated by the Sask. Party ahead of the provincial election. The next nomination for the party is tonight in Saskatoon Riversdale.

Sponsored by Insurance Brokers Association of Saskatchewan

Abacus polling details Conservative voter motivation

Abacus Data is back with more federal polling, this time revealing the motivation behind the Conservative’s growing base of support.

The polling shows that 1 in 4 Conservative voters are supporting the party because they want Trudeau to go. Abacus says, “When asked in a follow-up question, how Conservative supporters would react if Prime Minister Trudeau stepped down as Liberal leader, 68% said they would still vote Conservative, “no matter what”. Another 19% say they would probably still vote Conservative but could change their mind. Only 9% would be willing to consider voting Liberal depending on who the new leader is, and none say they would likely vote Liberal if Trudeau stepped down as leader.”

“For context, those current Conservatives who might consider voting Liberal depending on who a new Liberal leader might represent 3% of the electorate. Another 7% say they could change their mind away from the Conservatives. That’s a sizeable portion of the electorate.”

Poilievre’s Conservatives lead Justin Trudeau’s Liberal Party 42% to 25%. If the data is correct, a new Liberal leader could potentially make this election close once again, similar to what happened in the United States with Kamala Harris. Until then, polling shows the Conservative Party with a commanding lead.

One other observation from the data is that on the question of a desire for change, 83% of Canadians want to see a change in government and only 14% of Canadians think Justin Trudeau deserves to be re-elected.

The full report can be viewed here.

Constituency Profile Series: Sponsored by Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA)

SUMA represents over 80% of Saskatchewan residents —cities, towns, villages, resort villages, and northern municipalities—that come together as one urban voice.

We’ve been here since 1905, advancing collective member interests with various government bodies, improving local governance, and fostering municipal growth. We are the urban hubs where you live, work, and play. We're where your children go to school, where you attend medical appointments at the clinic, and where you stop for coffee.

We are URBAN. To learn more visit www.suma.org.

Each week leading up to the 2024 election, The SKoop Political Briefing will highlight a constituency that has nominated a candidate from at least both major parties. Today, we look at Melville-Saltcoats. This rural riding includes the communities of Langenburg, Esterhazy, Melville, Saltcoats and more.

The incumbent: Warren Kaeding was first elected MLA in 2016. He is a former business owner and farmer. He has held various legislative roles and was a member of the cabinet from 2018-2022. He was acclaimed last year.

The challenger: Karen Hovind is a teacher and STF councillor. She was previously a town councillor in Saltcoats and currently works at Melville Comprehensive School. Hovind obtained her Master of Education degree in 2021 with a focus on social and structural issues that affect education. She won a contested nomination a few weeks ago.

The takeaway: This is a safe Sask. Party seat. The Sask. Party has held this riding since its inception in 1997 with one of the party’s founders Bob Bjornerud. In the 2020 election, Kaeding won with 76% of the vote.

More news and info

• Regina city council votes against renaming Dewdney Avenue (CBC News)

• Sask. 'moving forward' with $1.15B Lake Diefenbaker Irrigation Project despite incomplete feasibility study (CBC News)

• PHOTOS, VIDEO: Strong wind fuels brush fire near Saskatoon (CKOM News)

• Education ministry reduces Catholic division’s capital budget by $8.9M for this year (SaskToday)

• Barack and Michelle Obama electrify Democrats but warn of tight race (BBC News)

• Poilievre and Trudeau tied in perception of who can best manage Canada-US relationship (Bloomberg/Nanos)

• Politicians in the Wild: NDP in Canora and Sask. United in Yorkton

2024 Election Candidate Tracker