Ottawa, Sept. 10, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Federally Regulated Employers – Transportation and Communications (FETCO) acknowledges the federal government’s newly released, Building Canada Strong For All, which reinforces FETCO’s call for the creation of a special mediator and a more effective tool for the government to protect Canada’s national public interest.
“FETCO has been clear for months: the best deals happen at the bargaining table, after meaningful negotiations, without damaging the national economy. It is encouraging to see the consultations found all sides agree we need to create the necessary tools to reach that end,” said Derrick Hynes, CEO of FETCO.
Since 2023, Canadians have had to endure numerous impactful work stoppages in critical supply chain industries, including aviation, courier, maritime and rail. In the wake of two separate disputes along Canada’s West Coast in 2023 and 2024 an Industrial Inquiry Commission Report outlined the need for the creation of a special mediator with expanded powers to make negotiating collective agreements more likely and with less disruption. It was noted this change could have benefit across the federally regulated private sector.
After months of consultations with over 100 stakeholders — including unions, labour organizations, employers, employer associations and National Indigenous Organizations —Building Canada Strong For All outlines that support for these tools is “the strongest convergence among labour and employer stakeholders,” and recognizes that there is a need for new mechanisms to minimize the “significant impacts” which occur when bargaining challenges disrupt “critical sectors of the economy.”
It is a clear acknowledgement that in the rare circumstance in certain key sectors where a labour dispute threatens the Canadian economy and international reputation—running contrary to the national public interest—the damage is unacceptable. Small businesses can’t get their products to store shelves, agriculture products rot as they wait to be shipped, and life-saving medical shipments are held hostage from those who need them most. A new authority with a well-defined national public interest test would give the government a more effective tool to protect all Canadians.
“A special mediator is a neutral party that will assist with more productive negotiations and issue a public report. This process would represent only a temporary pause in timelines for major benefit to the parties and is a practical change that promotes greater transparency and accountability, incentivizing better bargaining. It aligns with Canada’s goals to strengthen supply chain resiliency and protect the credibility of Canadian exports,” said Hynes.
FETCO CEO Derrick Hynes is available for interviews upon request.
