Mr. Speaker, yesterday I introduced a private member's bill that allows the labour minister to step in when the collective bargaining process at west coast ports bogs down and before costly work disruptions take place.
Since August 25, 650 grain handlers have been locked out at the port of Vancouver. At a time when western farmers are suffering through one of the worst droughts in Canadian history and one of the poorest harvest seasons, they are unable to move what little grain they managed to grow through the port of Vancouver.
If the government had passed final offer arbitration when I first presented the bill in 1996, this work stoppage could have been averted. It is time we had a permanent and fair resolution process that is removed from the whims of government.
The minister stands idly by while the reputation of Canada's largest port and the livelihood of 650 grain handlers hangs in the balance. Besides all of that, Canada's farmers deserve better.