14°c Overcast
11°c Cloudy with clear breaks
Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Union fears for 250 jobs under Tory grain bill
ABOUT 250 jobs at the Canadian Grain Commission, including an unknown number in Winnipeg, will be eliminated under federal legislation introduced last week, a union official said Wednesday.
Robert Kingston, national president of the Agriculture Union, part of the Public Service Alliance of Canada representing unionized CGC employees, said the bulk of job losses will likely be at CGC operations at port terminals in Vancouver and Thunder Bay.
"But Winnipeg (where the CGC is headquartered) will definitely be hit as well," Kingston added.
Bill C-45, part of a massive omnibus bill introduced late last week, includes a number of major changes to the Canada Grain Act. One removes the mandatory requirement for CGC inspectors to weigh and inspect grain shipments as they arrive at port terminals and to weigh them again before they leave. Although commission inspectors will still inspect the grain before it leaves, the weighing will be done by grain-company inspectors overseen by the CGC.
Other key proposed changes would see the CGC's payment-protection program for grain farmers changed to an insurance-based model rather than a securities-based one, and there would be changes to the user fees the commission charges for its services.
CGC spokesman Rémi Gosselin confirmed Wednesday the proposed changes will lead to job cuts at the CGC, which has about 700 employees in Canada, including 180 to 200 at its head office in downtown Winnipeg. He couldn't say how many will be out of work.
"It will be quite a few jobs, but we don't have that number yet."
He said CGC officials hope to get the number within the next couple weeks.
Winnipeg New Democratic Party MP Pat Martin was highly critical Wednesday of the latest proposed changes.
First, the Harper government "gutted" the Winnipeg-based Canadian Wheat Board by abolishing its monopoly in the marketing of western Canadian wheat and barley, he said. Now it's trying to do the same to the CGC.
"It's an atrocious move. The grain commission will be next, and there goes our campus of (grain) excellence at the corner of Portage and Main. Winnipeggers should be screaming bloody murder over this."
murray.mcneill@freepress.mb.ca
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition October 25, 2012 B5
More Latest News
- Back to Top
- Return to Latest News
More Latest News
(1 of 31 articles for today)
PST hike a 'difficult decision' but necessary, NDP official says
12:33 PM 0View Related
Poll
Most Popular Latest News
- Police searching for suspect who woke sleeping teen
- Rare comic book featuring debut of Superman found insulating abandoned house in Minnesota
- Evidence ignored in dangerous driving acquital, appeal court told
- Systemic approach to voter interference 'extremely worrisome': Trudeau
- Doctor charged with sexually assaulting teen at HSC
- Driver horrified by scene in rearview mirror after load hits I-5 bridge, road falls into river
- Teachers vote to donate $1.5M to human rights museum
- Overnight stabbings probed
- Armed forces buys buses from Motor Coach
- Selinger talks tax at NDP convention in Brandon
- Man dies after being pulled from vehicle submerged in Winnipeg retention pond
- 87-year-old woman tells jurors, 'Somebody had to stand up to' Donald Trump
- Chiropractor guilty of sexually assaulting, beating ex-girlfriend
- Crash claims two young women, RCMP say
- 2 dead in crash near Portage la Prairie
- Grocer Joe Cantor dies at 88
- Winnipeg woman camps out in front of legislature to protest child welfare
- Rainfall warning issued for southern Manitoba
- Two men now facing first-degree murder charges in Tim Bosma test drive death
- Flood money paid for CEO's romantic trip
- Seattle man dribbling soccer ball to Brazil killed by car on Oregon Coast
- Man dies after being pulled from vehicle submerged in Winnipeg retention pond
- 87-year-old woman tells jurors, 'Somebody had to stand up to' Donald Trump
- Driver crashes into tree near golf course
- Arrests made after raids on local head shops
- Aboriginal leader Elijah Harper dies
- News of city's $17-million winner leaks out on FB
- Passengers from diverted flight to leave Winnipeg Thursday night
- No threat from bag found at Winnipeg Square
- Chiropractor guilty of sexually assaulting, beating ex-girlfriend
- Driver horrified by scene in rearview mirror after load hits I-5 bridge, road falls into river
- Youth faces murder charge in Pauingassi First Nation death
- Charges laid against Sharon Home over resident's death
- Grocer Joe Cantor dies at 88
- Famous city grocer loved job, customers
- Chiropractor guilty of sexually assaulting, beating ex-girlfriend
- City's first urban reserve born
- Toews 'disappointed' U.S., Canada at loggerheads over meat labeling regulations
- Unjust justice: Still no aboriginal court in Manitoba
- Islamic life showcased
- New owner for lumber stores
- Chiropractor guilty of sexually assaulting, beating ex-girlfriend
- Grocer Joe Cantor dies at 88
- MTS to sell Allstream to Egyptian investment group, focus on Manitoba market
- Famous city grocer loved job, customers
- Prominent Canadians back petition to rename Victoria Day to honour aboriginals
- First Nation celebrates groundbreaking on city's first urban reserve
- Marsh Madness: Photographers Fred Greenslade and Joe Bryksa capture spring migration's grandeur at Delta Marsh
- Skin picking gets status as distinct disorder, should help sufferers access help
- Order of Manitoba recipients announced
- New owner for lumber stores
- Aboriginal leader Elijah Harper dies
- Dogs can experience separation anxiety and depression just like humans
- Chiropractor guilty of sexually assaulting, beating ex-girlfriend
- 'Revenge of the redheads': Ginger-haired Montrealers gather in celebration
- Grocer Joe Cantor dies at 88
- An uncommon phenomenon
- Passengers from diverted flight to leave Winnipeg Thursday night
- Hundreds pitch in to dig out houses damaged, destroyed by Ochre Beach ice floe
- MTS to sell Allstream to Egyptian investment group, focus on Manitoba market
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.