RCC and other leading industry associations call on the federal government to facilitate a quick resolution to the Port of Montreal strike

Retail Council of Canada (RCC) remains very concerned with the strike by the Port of Montreal Longshoremen which began earlier this morning.  The Port of Montreal serves multiple retailers, distributors and importers across Canada with a diverse range of different products and will require those that have goods transiting through the Port to make significant adjustments.  RCC is hopeful that solutions are developed quickly to avoid any further economic disruption to our industry.

Late on Friday, RCC joined other leading national industry associations, including the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers’ Association, the Forest Products Association of Canada, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, and Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters in issuing the following statement to the federal government:

“Our national associations, representing hundreds of thousands of businesses in every sector of the economy are calling on the federal government to facilitate a resolution to the ongoing negotiations between the longshoremen and the Maritime Employers Association (MEA) at the Port of Montreal. 

Canada is caught in the middle of a devastating and unprecedented economic slowdown because of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Labour action at the Port of Montreal will have a direct and significant impact on the operations of thousands of companies and their employees. Tens of thousands of workers whose livelihoods depend on the Port of Montreal will be at risk of losing their jobs. Labour action will strain already weakened supply chains and shutdown or a slowdown of service will have a significant impact on the populations of Quebec, Ontario and the Atlantic provinces.

We are calling on the federal Minister of Labour to facilitate a resolution of the negotiations between the longshoremen and the MEA to ensure the continuation of port activities. This issue requires the government’s full attention to preserve jobs and protect Canada’s economy.”

Diane J. Brisebois, President and CEO, Retail Council of Canada

 

For more information or to schedule media interviews, contact:
Michelle Wasylyshen
mwasylyshen@retailcouncil.org

About Retail Council of Canada

Retail is Canada’s largest employer with 2.1 million Canadians working in our industry. The sector annually generates over $76 billion in wages and employee benefits. Core retail sales (excluding vehicles and gasoline) were $377 billion in 2018. Retail Council of Canada (RCC) members represent more than two thirds of retail sales in the country. RCC is a not-for-profit, industry-funded association that represents small, medium and large retail businesses in every community across the country. As the Voice of Retail™ in Canada, we proudly represent more than 45,000 storefronts in all retail formats, including department, grocery, specialty, discount, independent retailers and online merchants. www.RetailCouncil.org