Vancouver, BC – Michael Goehring, President & CEO of the Mining Association of British Columbia (MABC) made the following statement in relation to the BC port strike:
“BC’s mining industry is very concerned about the strike activity undertaken by the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 514 with all BC Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) member companies.
“British Columbia’s 17 operating mines and two world class smelters are the largest shippers by volume at Canada’s ports for both rail and marine modes of transportation. Our mineral, metal and steelmaking coal products are exported to the United States, Japan, South Korea, India and other nations around the world, and accounted for $18 billion, or 28 per cent, of the total value of BC’s goods exports in 2022.
“When mines and smelters are impacted by a strike or lockout, it is felt not only by thousands of direct employees, but also many of the 4,000 small, medium and Indigenous businesses and suppliers who depend on our industry in communities across the province.
“Given the scope of British Columbia’s mining, metals and steelmaking coal sector, the supply chain disruptions and economic repercussions associated with this job action could be substantial. BC’s mining industry is still recovering from the CP/CN work stoppage from a few months ago. Further supply chain interruption will erode confidence in Canada as a reliable trading partner and pushes customers to look to other jurisdictions for commodities.
“The Mining Association of BC urges Steven MacKinnon, federal Minister of Labour and Seniors Services, and Anita Anand, federal Minister of Transportation, to use all measures at their disposal to bring this job action to a conclusion.”
About the Mining Association of British Columbia
MABC is the voice of the British Columbia’s steelmaking coal, metal and mineral producers, smelters and advanced development companies. Our industry benefits all British Columbians and supports more than 35,000 jobs and nearly 4,000 small, medium, and First Nation affiliated businesses in every corner of the province through an annual spend of $3.7 billion on goods and services. Our members’ products have among the lowest carbon footprints globally and are helping the world transition to a cleaner, low-carbon future; safely and responsibly.
For more information
Jayne Czarnocki
Director, Communications
Mining Association of British Columbia
Cell: 778-957-2597
Email: jczarnocki@mining.bc.ca
