The president of Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) was surprised to hear the news that the Port of Churchill will no longer ship grain.
Dan Mazier says this decision won't just affect the current growing season -- it's already affecting last year's crop, which is waiting to be shipped. He also says the port closure affects more than just transportation, it also affects trade.
"Governments are going around the world trying to get CETA, TPP, all these agreements, but you need ports to get products, and it's not just grain," he says. "What is the future? We're talking about climate change, all indications are that port was going to become more ice-free, so why would we shut it down?"
Mazier and KAP are calling on the federal government to step in and take action on the issue to keep the port running.
"It's just like if, what happens if they decide to shut down Prince Rupert or Thunder Bay? Do you not think the government should get involved...?" He says. "I don't know if they have any tools available to them, but I think there's some intervention that needs to happen for Canada's sake -- not only Manitoba's sake."
Source : Portageonline