Winnipeg, MB – Today, Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) is calling for an immediate resumption of activities at the Port of Vancouver, including all terminal activity.

“While we are relieved to see a commitment from both the Grain Workers Union (GWU) and Vancouver Terminal Elevators’ Association (VTEA) to get back to the negotiating table, the lack of activity at the Port of Vancouver due to today’s strike continues to prevent the movement of essential goods,” said KAP General Manager, Brenna Mahoney.

With it being mid-harvest that this strike action is occurring, the timing could not be worse for Manitoba producers.

“Producers already face a massive amount of pressure during the annual harvest season to get crop in the bin,” said KAP President, Jill Verwey. “This disruption at such a critical time of year will only add further stress to producers as they work long hours to get harvest complete, not knowing if there will be a transportation system to get that product to market.”

A strike action would result in severe disruptions for the export of grain through many bulk grain export terminals in Vancouver, with 70% of Canada’s bulk grain exported through Vancouver grain terminals representing 27 million tonnes of grain in the 2023/24 crop year. For pulse crops, close to 100% of bulk peas and lentils move through Vancouver terminals which was 2.7 million tonnes in 2023/24.

“This strike has occurred during what is peak shipping for grain and is already causing widespread disruption to farmers and exporters serving international customers. KAP calls for an immediate resumption of activity at the Vancouver Port to mitigate what could be significant financial loss and the further tarnishing of Canada’s international reputation as a reliable supplier of grain,” concluded Verwey and Mahoney.

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For more information:

Colin Hornby
Manager, Communications & Stakeholder Relations
Keystone Agricultural Producers
Email: Colin.Hornby@kap.ca | Direct: (204) 924-6018