The Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) has made changes to its inspection procedures for grain loading onto vessels on the West Coast due to the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) strike, which has affected 65% of CGC’s employees, including grain inspectors. While grain shipments continue unaffected, the CGC is temporarily allowing grain companies or third-party inspection firms to collect composite samples for CGC while loading ships, and a limited number of managers and specialists provide final inspection and certification. The Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association has called for third parties to provide the entire outward inspection that CGC is required to perform. Other CGC services, such as ensuring producer payment protection, are also affected by the strike, but are still active. PSAC members have established a picket line at Viterra’s Cascadia port terminal in Vancouver, and the company has not commented on whether any operations have been affected by the strike.
