A ruling by the US Surface Transportation Board (STB) is expected sometime this quarter on the proposed merger between Canadian Pacific Railway (CP) and Kansas City Southern (KCS). This is the final hurdle CP must clear in its bid to purchase KCS for US$31 billion — a deal which would create the only single-line railroad linking the United States, Mexico and Canada. If the merger is approved, Calgary will serve as global headquarters for CPKC. CP has been growing its workforce over the last year possibly in anticipation of a favourable decision. Despite a historically tight labour market, more than 1,600 conductors were hired in 2022.