Legault calls for end to CN strike, citing propane 'emergency'
“We have enough for about four days,” François Legault said of Quebec's propane supply. “We are prioritizing hospitals, seniors’ residences and the agricultural sector."
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QUEBEC — Premier François Legault is calling on the federal government to step in and quickly end the CN Rail strike because the province will soon run short on propane.
Revealing Quebec has an inventory of about four days of propane, which is used to heat everything from seniors’ residences to chicken barns, Legault said action is urgently needed.
“We are in a state of emergency,” Legault said Thursday, arriving for question period. “We have several ministries concerned, including health and agriculture. But honestly, this strike cannot be allowed to drag on.”
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About 3,200 conductors and train and yard workers walked off the job Tuesday after negotiations with CN failed.
The workers have been without a contract since July 23.
But Legault said the strike’s economic impact on Quebec is serious. The province uses about 6 million litres of propane a day and has a reserve of about 12 million litres.
Quebec started rationing use Wednesday to stretch out the stock.
“We have enough for about four days,” Legault said. “We are prioritizing hospitals, seniors’ residences and the agricultural sector.
“Ideally, we would like to see a settlement between the union and CN, but we cannot exclude the need of special legislation in Ottawa.”
Legault called on the leaders of all federal parties to co-operate with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau if he opts for special legislation.
“We can almost say it is an essential service,” Legault said, adding his staff has already spoken with Trudeau’s staff as well as the office of federal Transport Minister Marc Garneau.
Most of Quebec’s propane supply comes from Sarnia, Ont.
Quebec has two refineries, but can fill only about 15 per cent of the province’s needs.
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“It’s very serious,” Legault said.
Other voices also warned of the consequences of a long strike.
The Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec (FCCQ) warned in a statement that a reliable rail system is an essential part of the economy and the work stoppage will have consequences.
“The absence of a supply of propane puts in peril agricultural operations, particularly those of poultry producers,” the statement said.
The organization noted that producers are already struggling because of the unusually early snow and cold weather, and that they need propane to dry grain and heat livestock barns.
The FCCQ said the conflict cannot be allowed to drag on and called for political action.
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