News Releases
Government Home Search Sitemap Contact Us  

Transportation and Works
September 1, 2010

Minister Applauds Decision on Shipment of
Essential Goods Via the Port of Montreal

The Canada Industrial Relations Board has agreed with the position put forward by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador that a disruption in the flow of goods to this province through the Port of Montreal could adversely affect the health and safety of the people. The Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Transportation and Works, today applauded the board's decision.

"When it became apparent that a work stoppage was imminent at the Port of Montreal earlier this summer, our government took the issue very seriously and clearly stated that any disruption at this port could have very serious consequences for the people of this province," said Minister Hedderson. "I am very pleased that the board has agreed with our position and is now looking to determine what level of service should be deemed necessary."

In appearing before the board last Friday, the minister asked the board to designate the shipment of goods to the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador via the Port of Montreal as an essential service. Today's decision by the board is the first step toward the development of an essential services agreement.

In its decision the board stated, "the Board is of the opinion that a strike or lockout initiated by the union or the employer, and which would suspend the transport of essential goods to the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, could constitute an immediate and serious danger to the safety or health of the public in Newfoundland and Labrador."

The board has asked the parties "to provide written submissions by September 13, 2010, in order to determine the level of service deemed necessary and that must be maintained by the employer and the union in order to prevent an immediate and serious danger to the safety or health of the public of Newfoundland and Labrador."

"This is very good news for the people of the province who rely on the delivery of many essential items through the Port of Montreal," said Minister Hedderson. "The Provincial Government remains ready to provide any additional information that the board may require."

The board has scheduled a hearing to be held on September 17 to determine the level of service to be deemed essential.

- 30 -

Media contact:

Roger Scaplen
Director of Communications
Department of Transportation and Works
709-729-3015, 697-5267
rogerscaplen@gov.nl.ca

2010 09 01                                                    3:50 p.m.


SearchHomeBack to GovernmentContact Us


All material copyright the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. No unauthorized copying or redeployment permitted. The Government assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of any material deployed on an unauthorized server.
Disclaimer/Copyright/Privacy Statement