Vancouver port strike impacting Manitoba grain farmers [Video]

Farmers across the Prairies are in the thick of the fall harvest, but a grain terminal worker strike in Vancouver is threatening their bottom line.

Around 650 workers in Metro Vancouver walked off the job Tuesday, demanding better pay, pensions, and benefits. The strike could potentially cost $35 million a day in lost exports.

“I actually use the phrase ‘another black eye’, I think, for Canada as an (exporter) of grain,” said Jill Verwey, the president of Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP).

According to KAP, 70 per cent of Canada’s bulk grain – around 27 million tonnes – passes through Vancouver’s terminals each year.

“That’s millions if not billions of dollars of revenue for the ag sector and definitely an impact on everyone.”

A lengthy strike would create a significant rail backlog and could mean some producers won’t be able to fulfill contracts and pay bills.

“This is their payday. And …