Manitoba farmers concerned about effects of St. Lawrence Seaway strike

Manitoba farmers are contending with growing concerns following a strike at the St. Lawrence Seaway, leaving the trade route closed since the weekend.

The seaway sees 11 million metric tons of grain shipped from the Prairie region every year. With about 360 union workers now off the job, local farmers are left worrying about the fate of their harvest.

Brenna Mahoney, general manager of Keystone Agricultural Producers, said farmers depend on selling their products in a timely manner. She said 40 per cent of all cargo on the seaway is grain-related products, a majority of which comes from Western Canada. She further noted that Manitoba farmers rely on exports of their grain, and the seaway plays a critical role in getting that done.