Scheer says labour unrest at B.C. ports is causing ‘uncertainty’ for Sask.

The strike at B.C. ports has been on, then off, then on, then off again.

It has been quite a whirlwind as negotiations between port workers and their employer have unfolded. The process has gone through several stages and it isn’t quite clear exactly what will happen next.

Workers are taking action over wages as well as for protection against automation and having their work contracted out, according to a news release by the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU).

Regina-Qu’Appelle MP Andrew Scheer told Gormley the labour unrest has had a significant impact on the economy of Western Canada.

“Thankfully, previous governments have exempted grain from labour disputes and so there is some good news there for some Saskatchewan producers,” Scheer said.

“But there’s a whole lot of agricultural and natural resource exports that our province depends on outside of just grain. So people are rightly very concerned about this and it’s already having an impact on many small businesses.”

Scheer blames the Liberal government for failing to find a resolution.

“We’re a major G7 country, this is a major port in our country, and this is no way to run things,” Scheer said.  “The uncertainty is just devastating for our economy.”

Scheer didn’t give a clear answer on what the Conservatives would do differently, but he did say that imposing back-to-work legislation to resolve the labour dispute should be a “tool of last resort.”

“It’s always preferable to have a deal reached from both sides,” Scheer said. “It’s always better for relations, it’s always better for workers and for management and it’s always the goal.”

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told reporters Thursday the federal government is “dismayed” by ILWU leadership’s decision to reject the tentative mediated deal.

Transport Minister Omar Alghabra said he was relieved to see dockworkers go back to work.

“I had run out of patience just given that we’ve seen disruptions for 13 days and I’m relieved to see the union is back at work,” Alghabra said. “I will continue to monitor the development and encourage the parties to settle this once and for all.”

— With files from The Canadian Press