Over 30,000 commuters to be affected
As the deadline nears for Canadian Pacific Kansas City Ltd. (CPKC) and the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference to reach a new agreement, more than 32,000 rail commuters in Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver may soon face significant disruptions. A potential strike or lockout starting early Thursday could halt several key commuter routes, impacting daily travel and broader business operations significantly.
Should dispatchers and other unionized workers proceed with the planned walkout at 12:01 a.m. EDT on Thursday, transit authorities have confirmed that specific routes utilizing CPKC tracks will be temporarily suspended. This includes TransLink’s West Coast Express in Vancouver, Metrolinx’s Milton line and the Lakeshore line’s Hamilton GO station in Toronto, and Exo’s Candiac, Saint-Jérôme, and Vaudreuil/Hudson lines in Montreal.
The lack of rail traffic controllers would effectively freeze operations on these lines, according to Exo spokesman Eric Edström, who noted that replacement bus services will not fully match the train capacities. The three affected Montreal lines alone serve 21,000 daily passengers, with Toronto and Vancouver handling 8,100 and 3,000 riders, respectively.
The looming strike also prompts a broader logistical challenge, as both CPKC and Canadian National Railway Co. (CN) begin winding down operations to mitigate stranded shipments. Canadian Pacific has already ceased most new shipments, and CN is set to follow suit. Such preemptive measures underscore the severe ripple effects a rail stoppage could have across the national supply chain.
This situation is particularly critical as it involves some of the country’s major rail companies in their first simultaneous strike. Both CPKC and CN are key players in the transport of goods worth over $1 billion daily, including essential commodities like canola and consumer electronics. The halt in rail services could disrupt everything from local deliveries to international trade, emphasizing the urgency for insurers and businesses to prepare for prolonged disruptions.
Further complicating matters, U.S. rail companies have already started to refuse cross-border shipments and major shippers have been forced to enact contingency plans. Over 100 industry groups and chambers of commerce have called on the prime minister to intervene, fearing severe consequences for both Canadian and U.S. economies if the strike proceeds.
Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon, involved in the last-minute negotiations, has emphasized the need for a resolution without federal intervention. His meetings with CN and CPKC representatives continue as the parties struggle to find common ground on wages and work schedules.
For customers of Via Rail, particularly those travelling on routes shared with CPKC tracks in Ontario, the disruption could lead to significant changes. Via Rail has prepared to cancel services and is offering full refunds or booking changes, highlighting the broad impact of the strike.
Businesses, insurers, and brokers must monitor this situation closely, as the outcome will affect operational planning and risk management strategies. The potential strike poses a direct challenge to maintaining seamless supply chains and fulfilling service commitments.
What are your thoughts on the potential impact of the rail strike? Share your insights below.
