QUESTION PERIOD — Transport
Blockade Protests--Rule of Law
February 20, 2020
Honourable senators, my question is also for the Leader of the Government in the Senate.
On Tuesday a coalition of 39 industry groups across Canada joined together to ask the Prime Minister to bring an end to the ongoing disruptions and to restore normal rail service without delay. These groups represent companies employing millions of workers across every sector of our economy. I’m concerned about the impact on small businesses that do not have the kinds of financial reserves and resources to weather any delay. Every day matters and every cent matters.
Senator Gold, we have heard cases of local businesses in various provinces laying off employees in recent days and in direct relation to these rail blockades. These businesses have the right to know: Are we any closer to the end of the dispute or, as you say, the complexity of what’s going on? Is this just the beginning?
I thank the honourable senator for the question. I won’t repeat what I’ve said before. I’m sure we all share the hope that the signs on which I reported — the willingness of the RCMP to redeploy and the openness of the hereditary chiefs to finally engage in some discussions — mark the beginning of progress in this. The government shares our desire to see this end as quickly as possible.
You said the “beginning” of this. That is what I was wondering. Are we reaching the end or is this just the beginning of a very long process? In any event, thank you, Senator Gold.
As a supplementary question, on Tuesday the Canadian Federation of Independent Business asked that federal government agencies, particularly the Canada Revenue Agency, provide flexibility to small businesses that are severely affected by the ongoing rail blockade.
Leader, what is your government’s response to this very specific request from the CFIB?
I thank the honourable senator for the question. The position of the government is as they’ve stated; this situation is changing hour by hour. I’m not in a position to report on a specific response to the specific request. I think we all appreciate that efforts are focused right now on bringing this to an end as quickly as possible. As that information becomes available, I’d be more than happy to share it in the chamber.
Honourable senators, my question is for the Leader of the Government in the Senate.
Earlier this week the Premier of Quebec expressed his concern over the impact the rail blockades are having on the Port of Montreal where containers have been piling up and cannot be transported. Ships may soon have to be turned away from the port.
As a Montrealer, you will recognize the seriousness of that.
Premier Legault’s concerns for the Port of Montreal are not misplaced. Just yesterday an American shipping company said that it would divert its cargo away from the Port of Halifax and into U.S. ports and railways due to the CN Rail service disruption.
Senator Gold, Premier Legault said yesterday that the rail service must be resolved in the next few days. What is your government doing to ensure that we do not see partial or complete shutdowns at the ports across Canada?
I thank the honourable senator for the question. The government is very concerned about the impact on the economy. It’s not just restricted, in the minds of government, to the individuals and the businesses but includes Canada’s reputation as a whole as a place to do business and a place for goods to be shipped. The government is seized with this issue, as am I. My family and I have a history with the Port of Montreal; thank you for reminding me how important it is to the economy of not only Montreal but of Canada.
Again, at the risk of boring you by repeating myself, the government’s position is that this needs to be solved in a way that makes things better, not worse — better in the sense that blockades are not reintroduced and that violence is not precipitated. Though we would all wish this would be over yesterday, alas, that’s not possible without risking doing more harm than good.
Senator Gold, you may remember that during last fall’s strike at CN Rail, propane shortages across Quebec raised concerns for many of the province’s hospitals and seniors’ homes, which rely on the product. The province of Quebec receives about 85% of its propane by rail.
Is your government aware of any propane rationing or shortages impacting Quebec hospitals or seniors’ residences during the current rail service disruption?
I’m very aware of the importance of propane in Quebec and elsewhere, to the extent it arrives by rail; I’m just not aware that steps have had to be taken to ration. Let us hope that’s not the case.
