THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATIONS

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Tuesday, November 4, 2025
(8)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications met this day at 9 a.m., in room B45, Senate of Canada Building, the chair, the Honourable Larry W. Smith, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Arnold, Aucoin, Cormier, Dasko, Hay, Lewis, Manning, Mohamed, Quinn, Simons, Smith and Wilson (12).

Other senators present: The Honourable Senator Robinson (1).

Participating in the meeting: Geneviève Gosselin and Marion Ménard, analysts, Library of Parliament.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, the committee continued its study on the maintenance of activities or essential services in the federally regulated rail and marine sectors in the case of labour disruptions.

WITNESSES:

Canadian Labour Congress:

Bea Bruske, President;

Chris Roberts, National Director, Social and Economic Policy.

International Longshore and Warehouse Union - Canada:

Tom Doran, First Vice-President (by videoconference).

Teamsters Canada Rail Conference:

Paul Boucher, President;

Don Ashley, National Legislative Director;

Ken Stuebing, Partner, CaleyWary.

Freight Management Association of Canada:

John Corey, President.

Mining Association of Canada:

Geoff Smith, Vice President, Government Relations;

Pam Schwann, President, Saskatchewan Mining Association (by videoconference).

Fertilizer Canada:

Michael Bourque, President and Chief Executive Officer.

Bea Bruske, Tom Doran and Paul Boucher each made a statement and, together with Chris Roberts, Don Ashley and Ken Stuebing, answered questions.

At 10:01 a.m., the committee suspended.

At 10:06 a.m., the committee resumed.

John Corey, Geoff Smith, Pam Schwann and Michael Bourque each made a statement and answered questions.

At 11:02 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Andrea Mugny

Clerk of the Committee