The president of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture welcomed the Canadian Pacific Railway’s agreement with a major union to take outstanding labour issues to binding arbitration, but said Canada “cannot continue to face uncertainty with its rail service.” The Mining Association of Canada said there have been far too many rail disruptions in recent years. (The Logic)

Talking point: CP itself says its negotiations with the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference have produced work stoppages in 2012, 2015, 2018 and now 2022. Canadian National Railway had a week-long strike in 2019, and protest blockades disrupted its service in 2020. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe wants rail declared an essential service, which typically means intractable labour disputes go directly to arbitration. There’s some evidence that arbitrated contracts lead to higher wage increases than those agreed in bargaining.