Numbers from Fertilizer Canada show how dependent Canada is on rail to get product to port. The organization says 95 per cent of Canada’s potash production is exported, Canadian fertilizer is exported to more than 75 countries. As well, 76,000 jobs and $23 billion dollars in economic activity come from the fertilizer industry. And that is just one commodity impacted by the work stoppage at CP Rail. The two sides are even disputing whether one created a lockout or the other a strike, with negotiating teams working non-stop over the weekend, to try to hammer out an agreement with federal mediators over wages, benefits and pension.

Fertilizer Canada is calling on the federal government to take “immediate action” because the disruption to essential rail service during spring seeding will have devastating effects on farmers, the economy as well as domestic and international food security. The organization says spring seeding is four to six weeks away in Canada and even sooner for the U.S. And due to poor rail service leading into the spring season, Fertilizer Canada members are two to three weeks behind inventories, and storage capacity at fertilizer production facilities is lower than normal.

President and CEO of Fertilizer Canada, Karen Proud says, “75 per cent of all fertilizer in Canada is moved by rail. During the lead-up to spring seeding, every day, frankly every hour, counts. During this critical time our members rely on uninterrupted rail service to deliver their products to their farmer customers in Canada and into international markets.”

Federal Minister of Labour Seamus O’Regan has said he is staying in Calgary until a deal is reached.

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said last week that the federal government should declare rail an essential service. Moe wanted the Trudeau government to pass back to work legislation if there was a work stoppage.

More than 3-thousand engineers, conductors, yard workers, and other train employees were off the job 12:01 a.m. Sunday.