OFA has provided comments to the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications regarding their study on the maintenance of transport services in the case of labour disruptions.

OFA urges the Committee to recognize agriculture as a critical sector uniquely vulnerable to labour disruptions in rail and marine transportation. OFA emphasizes that even short stoppages can severely disrupt the timely delivery of essential inputs such as fuel, fertilizer, and feed, and the movement of agricultural products to domestic and international markets, leading to financial losses, spoilage of perishable goods, long-term backlogs, and damage to Canada’s reputation as a reliable exporter. While respecting the right to strike, OFA stresses that disruptions in monopolistic transportation services can cause irreparable harm to farmers, food security, and the broader economy. OFA calls for modernized labour relations and proactive measures that protect workers’ rights while ensuring continuity of essential transportation services in the national interest.