BC Port Work Stoppage: What It Means For Your Business
Update: As of November 12, the federal government ordered an end to the work stoppages at ports in Montreal and British Columbia.
On November 4th, the BC Maritime Employers Association had locked out over 700 workers at BC ports. The decision came after the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 514 commenced strike activity earlier that day. All operations, except for grain and cruise operations, are now at a complete halt for the foreseeable future.
Many small- and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) depend on Western ports for their supply chains. Around $800 million in trade flows through the ports every day. In 2023, a 13-day strike froze billions of dollars in trade and left businesses recovering for months. Another disruption means delivery delays, production slowdowns, and ultimately, a hit to SMEs’ bottom lines.
Are you affected by this strike? Or have you been affected by one of the many recent ones? Let us know how at OttawaCFIB@cfib.ca so we can continue to put pressure on government and better advocate for you!
Please contact our Business Advisors by phone at 1-833-568-2342 and we’ll make sure you get the information you need. See other ways to contact us here.
