By Ed White
(Reuters) – Canadian exports of canola oil and forest products from West Coast ports have been halted due to a labor dispute, producers said on Thursday.
The interruption that began Monday (NASDAQ:), includes limited strike action by the port’s foremen and a complete lockout of Local 514 of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union by the BC Maritime Employers Association.
While bulk shipments of grain are exempt from British Columbia’s action, canola oil and forest products are not covered by that provision of the federal labor code and are not loaded onto ships at Pacific ports.
Based on the market price of canola oil, each day without shipments represents C$4 million in lost revenue, said Chris Vervaet, executive director of the Canadian Oilseed Processors Association, which says it accounts for about 95% of Canada’s canola and milling capacity. represents soybeans.
“We really implore the government to get involved and really help both sides find a solution.”
Federal Labor Minister Steven MacKinnon has said both sides have a responsibility to reach an agreement. On Thursday, he criticized the lack of clear progress between the union and employers, as well as a smaller shutdown that affected some container traffic at the Port of Montreal.
“Both conversations are proceeding at an insufficient pace, indicating a worrying lack of urgency among the parties involved,” MacKinnon said in a post on social media platform X.
Vervaet said Canada exports about one million tonnes of canola oil annually through the Port of Vancouver.
Canada is the world’s largest exporter of oilseeds and canola oil is the most valuable part of the crop.
The Forest Products Association of Canada also called for federal government intervention.
Shipments of lumber, pulp, paper and byproducts by the organization’s members represent approximately 17% of Vancouver’s container exports and 14% of Montreal’s.
