Illegal blockades along various points of CN Rail’s network continue to hamper the flow of CN Rail freight across Canada and into the US. The blockades, which are protesting a proposed pipeline, are having a far-reaching impact on the movement of freight:
- Blockades east of Belleville and in Tyendinaga, ON, have shutdown CN Rail’s network east of Toronto.
- The shutdown and congestion have severely impacted traffic to the Maritime provinces. However, freight in and out of the Port of Halifax is still moving; terminals are following normal operating hours, and vessels have been able to offload freight.
- A new blockade south of Winnipeg, MB, is affecting rail traffic into the US.
- Blockades in Vaughn, ON; Vancouver and Prince Rupert, BC; and Headingley, MB, were recently removed, and CN Rail is recovering from the resulting backlog in those areas.
- The blockades at the Ports of Prince Rupert and Vancouver, BC, are over; however, cold weather and congestion from the blockades have resulted in extensive backlogs—some ten days or more. Furthermore, rail lines in the vicinity require repair from cold weather erosion, creating further congestion which has prevented ships from berthing.
Trucking companies are attempting to move some freight, but cannot keep up with the volume. As a result of the partial rail shutdown, CN Rail has advised that some employees have been temporarily laid off in Quebec, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick.
Deringer will continue to provides updates about the CN Rail situation. If you have specific questions regarding a shipment, please contact the Deringer service center handling your shipments.