Canadian Chamber of Commerce welcomes back-to-work legislation at the Port of Montreal, calls for swift passage

(OTTAWA) – April 25, 2021 – The Hon. Perrin Beatty, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, issued the following statement in response to the announcement of back-to-work legislation at the Port of Montreal by Labour Minister Filomena Tassi:

“We are pleased to see Minister Tassi’s announcement that she will introduce back-to-work legislation on Monday morning. The prospect of a second strike in seven months has disrupted supply chains in all industries and hampered Canada’s economic recovery at a time of severe downturn.  As the second-largest port in Canada, the Port of Montreal is an essential contributor to Canada’s trade with the world. A labour stoppage would not only prevent goods from passing through the port but would also create congestion at other ports, causing bottlenecks at key points of entry for Canadian businesses.

We call upon all Members of Parliament to pass the bill expeditiously to prevent the serious damage a strike would have on jobs and on Canada’s economic recovery.”

About the Canadian Chamber of Commerce – Because Business Matters

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce helps build the businesses that support our families, our communities and our country. We do this by influencing government policy, by providing essential business services and by connecting businesses to information they can use, to opportunities for growth and to a network of local chambers, businesses, decision-makers and peers from across the country, in every sector of the economy and at all levels of government, as well as internationally. We are unapologetic in our support for business and the vital role it plays in building and sustaining our great nation.

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For more information, please contact:
Emily Walsh
ewalsh@chamber.ca