Report calls for changes to ease port labour disputes

The federal government has released a report on Canada’s West Coast ports, including recommendations to protect critical supply chains.

The Industrial Inquiry Commission on West Coast Ports found that changes need to be made to reflect the increasing importance of global supply chains on our economy.

“The strain on Canada’s supply chains has been compounded over recent years by repeated labour disruptions, resulting in 2023 holding the unfortunate record of most working days lost since 1986,” Canadian Chamber Vice-President Pascal Chan said. “As our economy contends with a productivity crisis, Canadian businesses cannot afford these continual major trade infrastructure shutdowns that prevent them from reliably delivering the goods.”

The impact of recent labour disputes has had serious implications on Greater Victoria and Vancouver Island, as we are dependent on the flow of goods for our food security as well as many of our livelihoods.