Saskatchewan grain transport threatened as CP Rail employees vote yes on strike

Apr 09, 2018

There could be a strike at CP Rail later this month, which would cause major grain transportation problems.

94% of CP Rail conductors and locomotive engineers have voted in favor of strike action, meaning workers could be walking off the job as soon as April 21st.

Ian Boxall, Vice President of the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan, says operations desperately need to keep moving forward.

“Any disruption, in any rail service in western Canada, is a complete disaster,” he warned. “The backlog we already have, they’re not fulfilling car orders to date.”

Boxall said any strike could just make this entire situation even worse.

Source : CKRM

Video: Independent Seed, National Impact | On The Brink: Episode 9

A survey of 200 independent seed businesses reveals what Canada's seed sector actually contributes — and what it stands to lose.

On the Brink, Justin Funk, a third-generation agri-marketer, shares the findings of a national survey conducted in early 2026. The numbers reframe the conversation: independent seed companies in Canada represent upwards of $1.7 billion in dedicated seed infrastructure, approximately 3,000 full-time equivalent jobs in rural communities, and an estimated $20 million in annual community contributions. And roughly 90% of Canada's cereals, pulses, and other small pollinated crops flow through them.

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On the Brink is a cross-country video series exploring the future of plant breeding in Canada. Each episode features voices from across the industry in an open, ongoing conversation about innovation and long-term investment in Canadian agriculture.