Lunn Says Back to Work Legislation Likely in CN Dispute

By 250 News

Federal Minister of Natural Resources, Gary Lunn says his government will  take action to end the CN rail dispute if the two sides can’t reach an agreement  soon.

Although not willing to give a time line, the Minister says the Federal Government acted  in the past, and  will do so again. ’We will not let this issue drag on, I am not saying  what that action will be, but it will be decisive and it will be quick because we are not going to put the economy at risk at all."

Yesterday, West Fraser’s CEO Hank Ketcham called on the government to  give it some assistance when it comes to dealing with the railway.  Ketcham said  with a virtual monopoly, the railway will have to start treating its customers as if they had other options.

Ketcham called on  the government to help the companies  develop some sort of leverage,  Lunn is prepared to help "I know they have been pushing hard for things like group final arbitration.  We understand their frustrations and we will continue to push hard.,  This is  something I  can personally understand why the industry wants this because of their frustrations in the past, and I think we have to work together to resolve these disputes.  I am fully prepared to sit down with Mr. Ketcham as well as their organizations  in pushing these issues forward.   I think their complaints are absolutely understandable"

Lunn also says  his team is pushing for the  P.G. Airport  runway expansion.  In January, he announced  the Federal Government was  putting in $11.5 million dollars,  now the project is in a holding pattern as the Federal Government has consultants take a second look.  "We’re driving it like a train to make it happen, but any time you have a project like this, there  are the due diligance and  accountability checks that have to be put in place."   When asked if you make the announcement first, and THEN make the  checks, Lunn responded  "Not always, sometimes to accelerate  things  we will do this, and officials are working with the Airport Authority to get all the documents and the information they need.  This is a file we are dealing with on a weekly basis, if not a daily  basis.  This a commitment our government made and it will be honoured." 

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