The federal government will intervene to bring an end to the labour dispute that brought Canada’s rail network to a grinding halt Thursday, Labour Minister Steve MacKinnon said.
Speaking in Ottawa less than 24 hours after thousands of workers at the country’s two main railway companies were locked out, McKinnon said he will use his powers under the Canada Labour Code to “secure industrial peace” and impose binding arbitration.
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Speaking to reporters in Quebec’s Eastern Townships earlier on Thursday, Trudeau said his government is taking the rail stoppage “so seriously” and will remain engaged so that “the right solution is found quickly for the economy.”
“We are not taking this lightly, obviously, because Canadians across the country are worried,” Trudeau said.
More to come…
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