Cross-country network of local chambers of commerce to urge MPs and MPPs to restore rail service now

(OTTAWA) – February 21, 2020 – The Honourable Perrin Beatty, PC, OC, issued the following statement today regarding the ongoing rail blockades:

“The Canadian Chamber of Commerce held an urgent teleconference today with provincial, territorial and local chambers of commerce from across the country. Our topic was the mounting economic damage being caused by the ongoing rail disruptions.

We heard directly from local chambers about the economic impacts on their communities and the hundreds of thousands of businesses they represent. Participants reported growing concern in their communities following another week of transportation disruptions throughout Canada.

We are now seeing layoffs, depleted inventories and a rapidly increasing risk that essential supplies like grain for livestock, oxygen for hospitals and propane for residential heating will not be sufficient.

In response, local chambers and boards of trade across Canada will be reaching out to their MPs, MPPs and mayors this weekend.

They will report on the damage being done to local economies, stress the need to increase efforts to achieve Indigenous reconciliation and press for engagement by provincial and territorial governments, Indigenous leaders and law enforcement agencies to end the blockades.”

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.

Phil Taylor

ptaylor@chamber.ca