The Labour Minister expressed her concern that the talks over the weekend between CN and the TCRC had not produced an agreement that would have brought a quick end to the strike.

The strike began early Saturday and has prompted concern about economic disruption across the country. Federal mediators have been working with the employer and union for many months and spent the weekend in last-ditch efforts to find a formula that would allow for the resumption of full rail service, but to no avail.

“This is more than a private dispute between CN Rail and the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference. It has serious repercussions for the national economy at a time when Canada’s recovery from the global recession is still fragile,” concluded Minister Ambrose.

The Minister calls on all parties in Parliament to support quick passage of this legislation.

Company urges Teamsters to work toward settlement to avoid strike threatened for Saturday, Nov. 28

MONTREAL, Nov. 25, 2009 — CN (TSX: CNR)(NYSE: CNI) today received a 72-hour strike notice from the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) of its plan to strike the company at 0001 hours Nov. 28, 2009.

CN said the TCRC’s decision is unfortunate because a strike is in no one’s interest – not the locomotive engineers, CN’s other employees, its customers or the Canadian economy.

CN is urging the TCRC to resume negotiations immediately to reach a settlement. If that is not possible, CN believes the union should agree to submit issues in dispute to binding arbitration before the Nov. 28 strike deadline.

Such an approach is fully consistent with the TCRC’s agreement to binding arbitration to end its strike at VIA Rail Canada Inc. in July 2009. In that dispute, the TCRC asked for two per cent wage increases – the same as CN’s last offer to the union.

If the TCRC strikes CN, the company is committed to provide the best possible service to its customers in the circumstances.

On Nov. 23, 2009, CN notified the TCRC of its intention to implement only one work rule change to the collective agreements and increase wages by 1.5 per cent effective Nov. 28, 2009.  CN decided to invoke these contractual changes to move the company forward after 14 months of bargaining with no resolution in sight. The TCRC’s last contract with CN expired on Dec. 31, 2008.

The Chamber of Shipping and Burrard Clean Operations (Western Canada Marine Response Corporation) are hosting a one-day workshop on oil spill response on Thursday, September 10, 2009.  The morning session of the workshop will provide an overview of the existing spill response regime in British Columbia and the roles and responsibilities of the parties involved.  The afternoon session will be designed to remind ship owners and agents of the procedures and the decisions that are required during a spill incident and the implications under the Canada Shipping Act and the new environmental enforcement measures.

An agenda and registration form will be available later this week.  For more information contact the Chamber of Shipping at tel: 604-681-2351.

The Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of International Trade, Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Regional Minister for British Columbia, announced today the Government of Canada’s support for an industry‑driven skills development organization and its first two projects. The Government established the Asia Pacific Gateway Skills Table in the fall of 2008 with an investment of $1.5 million. The organization is tasked to develop projects to address the recruitment, retention and skills development needs of the industries associated with the Gateway.

As part of this Initiative, Minister Day, announced support of $147,047 for the Chamber of Shipping of BC “Business of Shipping” pilot project.

“Government understands that being competitive means ensuring that Canadians have the workplace skills needed to adapt to a changing global market,” said Ms. Oksana Exell, Executive Director of the Asia Pacific Gateway Skills Table. “We have partnered with a wide variety of Asia‑Pacific Gateway stakeholders to develop these meaningful, needed projects that will assist in building our reputation as a leading, international trade corridor.”

For the full announcement view the News Release. 

Port Metro Vancouver has assessed the operational and community impact of the suspension of CN rail services to container terminals Centerm, Fraser Surrey Docks and Vanterm since July 13. The Port has determined that container dwell time appears to be within acceptable operating parameters at this time. CN and the terminals have utilized speed gates and extended gates to mitigate road traffic impacts.

Port Metro Vancouver has initiated action to clarify the rail volume thresholds required for CN to resume rail service to the three affected container terminals.

Port Metro Vancouver will vigorously pursue all available options to ensure port competitiveness, service consistency, reliability and choice for Port customers, while minimizing impacts on host communities. 

Port Metro Vancouver invites commentary from commercial users expressing concerns or detailing specific impacts to operational performance since CN’s suspension of service to selected container terminals.

The amendment to the IRPR is effective as of 00:01 hours (Eastern Daylight Time), July 14, 2009.  As of this time, all citizens of Mexico and the Czech Republic will be required to apply for and obtain a TRV prior to travelling to Canada and becoming a temporary resident. 

Please note that a grace period will be given until 23:59 hours, (Eastern Daylight Time), July 15, 2009 to accommodate citizens of Mexico and the Czech Republic. Citizens of both countries arriving in Canada during the grace period may apply for entry upon arrival in Canada.

For further information, please refer to the websites below.

Mexico:  http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/media/releases/2009/2009-07-13.asp

Czech Republic: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/media/releases/2009/2009-07-13a.asp 

Bill C-16,the Environmental Enforcement Act, received Royal Assent on June 18th and establishes minimum fines for serious offences by polluters, poachers and wildlife smugglers of between $5,000 for individuals and $500,000 for large corporations.

The Act raises maximum fines to as high as $6 million and gives enforcement officers new powers to investigate cases and grants courts new sentencing authorities that ensure penalties reflect the seriousness of the pollution and wildlife offences. 106 new enforcement officers have been hired and will complete their training by August.

The Act also expands the authority to deal with environmental offenders by:

• specifying aggravating factors such as causing damage to wildlife or wildlife habitat, or causing damage that is extensive, persistent or irreparable;
• providing fine ranges higher for corporate offenders than for individuals;
• doubling fine ranges for repeat offenders;
• authorizing the suspension and cancellation of licenses, permits or other authorizations upon conviction;
• requiring corporate offenders to report convictions to shareholders; and
• mandating the reporting of corporate offences on a public registry.

As well, the Act directs that fines imposed by the courts go to the Environmental Damages Fund which provides funding to local environmental restoration, improvement, research and development, and public education initiatives.

For more information about this act please visit Environment Canada’s Web site.