Mr. Speaker, Canadian grain shipments ground to a halt last week when 70 grain inspection employees walked off the job. Producers and everyone in the industry who believed that recent changes to the Canada Labour Code would ensure the unimpeded flow of grain to market were duped again by this Liberal government.
The Reform Party proposed final offer selection arbitration as a means to settle outstanding issues in sectors where continued service is essential to the national economy. The government's own West Coast Ports Inquiry Commission also recommended final offer as a way to guarantee the continuous flow of grain to market.
But the provisions in Bill C-19 are worthless in this case. Canada's world class transportation and communications systems cannot be allowed to become vulnerable to closure. Our reputation as a reliable shipper of goods is in jeopardy. Unfortunately for grain farmers, producers and exporters this government just does not get it.