August 2024

Truckers The Canadian Rail Conference (CRCC), the union representing rail workers Canadian National Railwayissued a strike notice to CN on Friday. Workers will go on strike at 10 a.m. ET Monday, the union said. The strike notice comes after CN announced in a statement that it was ending the lockout in response to the federal government’s decision to impose binding arbitration in the ongoing labour dispute. “By bypassing the collective bargaining process and ordering binding arbitration, the federal government has undermined the foundation on which unions rely to improve wages and working conditions for all Canadians. Bargaining is also the primary means by which our union fights for rail safety, all of which outweigh short-term economic concerns,” TCRC President Paul Boucher said in a statement. The statement said the CCRI has not yet made a final decision on whether it will impose binding arbitration or end any work stoppage. The story continues below the advertisement In its statement released Thursday, CN said: “While CN awaits the formal order from the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB), the Company is taking this decision to accelerate the economic recovery.” 4:25 Why did Ottawa wait so long to intervene to end the rail dispute? The union representing rail workers said it was exploring options to challenge Ottawa’s decision. decision to request the Canada Industrial Relations Board to impose final and binding arbitration to end the closure of Canada’s two largest railway lines. Speaking in Ottawa less than 24 hours after thousands of unionized workers at the country’s two largest rail companies were locked out, Labour Minister Steve MacKinnon said he would use his powers under the Canada Labour Code to “ensure industrial peace” and impose final and binding arbitration. Get the latest national news For news that impacts Canada and the world, sign up to receive breaking news alerts directly when it happens. He also said he had ordered the Canada Industrial Relations Board to extend the term of the current collective agreement until a settlement is reached and to order a return to work. The story continues below the advertisement François Laporte, national president of Teamsters Canada, said Thursday that the union is speaking to its legal advisors and considering next steps. “We believe that the Supreme Court decision regarding our right to strike is a constitutional right. And we believe that the application of section 107 (of the Canada Labour Code) is not valid. We are studying our options in this situation,” he told reporters in Calgary on Friday.

In response to growing concerns about the increasing use of nicotine replacement therapies (NRT) among young people, particularly nicotine pouchesHealth Minister Mark Holland is putting in place restrictions aimed at limiting their appeal and accessibility. The measures, which will take effect on August 28, include strict advertising restrictions, bans on certain flavours and limits on behind-the-counter sales at pharmacies, Holland announced on Thursday. “Starting next Wednesday, a couple of things are going to happen. The first is that these products will be moved behind the counter. They will be delivered to pharmacies and will only be available on the other side of the counter,” Holland told Global News in an interview. “The second thing is that these absurd flavors that are aimed at our children are gone…so Tropical Breeze and Cool Berry Splash…whatever they are, they’re gone. Those products will be recalled and unavailable.” The story continues below the advertisement Nicotine pouches, designed to help people quit smoking, have been approved in Canada since October 2023 and are regulated under the Food and Drugs Act. Health Canada has approved the sale of Zonnica flavored nicotine pouch from Imperial Tobacco, which sells flavored pouches like Tropic Breeze and Berry Frost. According to the company’s website, Zonnic helps adult smokers quit smoking by delivering nicotine to the body in a controlled manner. 4:30 p.m. Health issues: Concerns over nicotine pouches The approved pouch contains four milligrams of nicotine per dose, roughly equivalent to three to four cigarettes, and is used by placing it in the mouth between the gums and the cheek or upper or lower lip. It then releases the nicotine into the system, similar to the snus pouches popular in Sweden. Nicotine pouches are not permitted for those under 18 years of age, but Health Canada has already declared that the sachets have become popular with young people and can be addictive. The story continues below the advertisement Children and adolescents are particularly susceptible to the addictive properties of nicotine because brain development continues throughout adolescence and into early adulthood. Even using small amounts of nicotine can increase the risk of developing nicotine addiction in the future. Health Canada warns on its website. Last year, the introduction of nicotine pouches to the Canadian market sparked immediate concern from health organizations such as the Canadian Cancer Society. Learn more about health Related Videos The Canadian Cancer Society is concerned that without adequate regulation, similar to that governing smoking, children are at risk of becoming addicted to these products. This issue has raised concerns not only in Canada, but also in other countries, where nicotine bells have been ringing over the growing use of nicotine pouches among youth. In 2023, the Netherlands and Belgium announced they were banning the sale of all types of nicotine pouches. Get weekly health news Get the latest medical news and health information delivered to your inbox every Sunday. A 2024 study published in Nicotine and Tobacco Research Researchers found that while nicotine pouches are less toxic than cigarettes, they can still pose health risks, and the way tobacco companies market them may encourage youth initiation. “In the United States, the potential public health impact of oral nicotine pouches is particularly relevant given the continued rise in awareness and use, particularly among young adults,” the study said. “The wide variety of flavors of oral nicotine pouches and aggressive marketing campaigns have the potential to appeal to youth and young adults, providing an alternative pathway to nicotine addiction.” The story continues below the advertisement 1:17 Ottawa to take action on oral ‘nicotine pouches’ What are the new measures? Last November, after Canada approved the sale of nicotine pouches, Holland has pledged to close this regulatory gap which allowed their introduction. Since their launch, nicotine pouches have been available across Canada, in places like gas stations and convenience stores, as well as over-the-counter. They come in a wide variety of colours and flavours. The story continues below the advertisement Despite their legality, British Columbia implemented restrictions in Februarylimiting the sale of nicotine pouches to purchases in pharmacies. No prescription is required, but buyers must speak to a pharmacist to obtain one. Quebec has also taken a similar approach, authorizing the sale of nicotine pouches only in pharmacies. Health Canada now wants to expand its reach by applying these restrictions nationally. 2:26 British Columbia Premier announces new rules to restrict sale of flavoured ‘nicotine pouches’ Current trend What are the sticking points in the social negotiations regarding the closure of the railway network? “A significant amount of COVID” is expected in the fall. Are new vaccines coming? “We are deeply disturbed by the actions of tobacco companies. They have used a loophole that is supposed to help people quit smoking to get children hooked on nicotine pouches,” Holland said. The measures implemented include: Prohibit advertising or promotion, including labeling and packaging, that might be attractive to young people. Require that NRTs in new and emerging formats, such as nicotine pouches, be sold only by a pharmacist or someone working under the supervision of a pharmacist, and that they be stored behind the pharmacy counter. Ban the sale of NRT in new and emerging formats, such as nicotine pouches, with flavors other than mint or menthol. Require a front-of-package warning about nicotine addiction, as well as a clear indication of its intended use as a smoking cessation aid for adults trying to quit smoking. Require manufacturers to submit mock-ups of labels and packaging for all new or amended NRT licenses to ensure no appeal to youth. Holland stressed that there is no total ban on nicotine pouches, as he believes they help adults quit smoking. The story continues below the advertisement He expressed hope that these restrictions will lead to the “denormalization” of the industry. 1:51 Canadian health experts urge federal government to take action on flavoured nicotine pouches “One of the most important things we’ve done is we’ve kept a power that we can deploy now, before we have…

Canada’s labour minister said Wednesday night that “significant problems” remain in negotiations between the country’s two main railway companies and unions, a move that National closure of the rail network almost certain. Labour Minister Steve MacKinnon spoke to Global News in Calgary following a meeting with representatives from Canadian Pacific Kansas City Ltd. and the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference, a day after meeting with Canadian National and its union local in Montreal to urge all parties to reach an agreement. “I think it’s fair to say there are still significant issues to be resolved,” MacKinnon said. “But the parties are there and they’re working, and we’re obviously putting every effort into making sure they have everything they need to make the compromises that are necessary to get a deal done.” Freight trains across Canada are expected to grind to a halt as early as 12:01 a.m. Thursday as about 9,000 railway workers inch closer to a strike or lockout date. The story continues below the advertisement 1:46 Federal labour minister meets with parties in Calgary in hopes of averting rail strike The rail companies and the union have accused each other of refusing to engage on some sticking points, and mediators have been called in to try to break the impasse over scheduling issues and worker safety concerns. A shutdown would disrupt supply chains not only in Canada but across the continent, with U.S.-allied railroad workers pledging their support for Canadian Teamsters members on Wednesday. MacKinnon said he travelled to Montreal and Calgary to represent “those who don’t have a voice at this table,” including business owners and workers whose goods won’t be shipped and “the commuters, the farmers, the ranchers,” as well as average consumers. “The economic consequences would be significant and the impact on ordinary Canadians would be significant,” he said. “My job is to remind these parties that their responsibilities go far beyond their own interests at this table and that a lot of people are counting on them to get a deal done.” The story continues below the advertisement Earlier Wednesday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland urged Both sides have tried to reach an agreement, warning of the economic consequences of a market shutdown. Freeland said it was “unacceptable” for either side to risk a crisis she called a “self-inflicted wound.” 2:00 ‘We cannot tolerate self-inflicted injury’: Freeland on rail strike prospect Yet the federal government has so far resisted calls, including from some premiers, to intervene, on which MacKinnon has remained firm. Receive daily national news Get the day’s top political, business and current affairs news delivered to your inbox once a day. “We know that the most sustainable and beneficial trade agreements for both employers and employees are reached at the negotiating table,” he said. “Sometimes deadlines tend to focus attention… Sometimes you get a little momentum and you can solve problems quickly. That’s what we hope.” MacKinnon would not say whether he or the government would be willing to recall Parliament before its scheduled resumption on Sept. 16 to resolve a shutdown issue, but noted it is “not something that can be recalled in the blink of an eye.” The story continues below the advertisement The CPKC network connects Canada to Mexico via the United States, meaning a shutdown would also affect North American supply chains as a whole. A representative from the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, one of the largest U.S. rail unions affiliated with the Teamsters, told Global News that its 51,000 members have been ordered not to cross any physical picket lines related to the labour dispute. That would mean U.S. railroaders could refuse to operate trains once they reach the Canadian border from the United States, and would not replace Canadian workers who walk off the job, the official said at a news conference to share internal communications. Current trend Ukraine launches one of its largest drone attacks on Moscow Republicans rally at Democratic convention with ‘common cause’ to elect Harris 1:55 Rail labour dispute could disrupt supply chain, affect travellers U.S. union members would still be required to pick up the slack for Canadian workers who walked off the job while operating trains in the United States, the official said, citing U.S. federal labor laws. The story continues below the advertisement “Our brothers and sisters at the TCRC have our 100% support in their fight against the CPKC and CN,” BLET National President Edward Hall said in a statement Wednesday. “Just as corporate greed is out of control in the United States, so it is in Canada.” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said on social media Monday that his department is closely monitoring labor negotiations in Canada, as well as any potential impact on cross-border shipping. MacKinnon said he “exchanged voicemails” Wednesday with his U.S. counterpart, acting Labor Secretary Julie Su, and that Transportation Minister Pablo Rodriguez spoke with Buttigieg. “I know they’re monitoring the situation very closely,” he said, noting the potential repercussions across North America. “It’s not something that the Government of Canada is going to be indifferent to.”