Question Period Note: COLLECTIVE BARGAINING BETWEEN MARINE ATLANTIC INC. AND UNIFOR

Current status of the collective bargaining negotiations between Marine Atlantic Inc. and Unifor. Marine Atlantic Inc. and Unifor are negotiating the renewal of two collective agreements, which expired on December 31, 2025, covering all (613) unlicensed personnel as well as all (52) shore-based plant maintenance personnel.

Two conciliation officers from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service have been assisting the parties in their negotiations. Their mandate is set to expire on June 8, 2026, after which the parties will enter the 21-day cooling off period before acquiring the right to strike or lockout.

However, on April 14, 2026, the union filed an application with the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB), under subsection 87.4(4) of the Canada Labour Code, requesting the CIRB to determine any question with respect to the maintenance of activities in the event of a work stoppage. The application is before the CIRB for decision.

The parties will acquire the legal right to strike or lockout on June 30, 2026 at 00:01 a.m. However, no strike or lockout can be initiated until the CIRB has rendered its decision regarding the maintenance of activities issue.

Federal conciliation officers have been actively assisting Marine Atlantic and Unifor in their negotiations.

The conciliation process is ongoing. It is the responsibility of both parties to work together in an effort to reach an agreement at the bargaining table.

Negotiated agreements are the best way forward.

If pressed on the impacts of a work stoppage on the health and safety of the public:

The issue of maintenance of activities is before the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB), an independent quasi-judicial tribunal.

The CIRB has been asked to determine what services, if any, are required to be maintained in the event of a work stoppage to prevent an immediate and serious danger to the safety or health of the public.

No strike or lockout can be initiated before the CIRB renders its decision on this issue.

The government understand the potential impacts of a work stoppage and continues to monitor the situation closely.

Marine Atlantic Inc. (hereafter the “employer”) is a federal Crown corporation which is mandated to operate ferry services between the provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia.

The employer and Unifor (hereafter the “union”) have been negotiating the renewal of two collective agreements, both of which expired on December 31, 2025. Collective agreement “B” covers all (613) unlicensed personnel whereas collective agreement “C” covers all (52) shore-based plant maintenance personnel.

On September 1, 2025, the union served two notices to bargain to the employer to commence negotiations. The parties then met on several occasions in direct negotiations between November 2025 and March 2026, but they were unsuccessful in reaching an agreement.

On March 26, 2026, the union filed two notices of dispute with the Minister of Labour and on April 9, 2026, two conciliation officers from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service were appointed to assist the parties in their negotiations. Conciliation meetings took place on April 28 and 29, 2026 (unlicensed personnel bargaining unit only) and on May 12 and 13, 2026 (shore-based personnel bargaining unit only); however, neither set of meetings resulted in a tentative agreement. No further meeting dates are scheduled at this time. The conciliation officers remain in contact with the parties and are available to assist them.

On April 14, 2026, the union filed an application with the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB), under subsection 87.4(4) of the Canada Labour Code, requesting the CIRB to determine any question with respect to the maintenance of activities issue in the event of a work stoppage. The matter is currently before the CIRB for decision.

The conciliation period is currently set to expire on June 8, 2026, but can be extended beyond that date by mutual agreement of the parties. Should the parties not wish to extend the conciliation period, they will acquire the legal right to strike or lockout on June 30, 2026 at 00:01 a.m. However, no strike or lockout can be declared until the CIRB has rendered its decision regarding the maintenance of activities issue.

No strike vote has been held at this time.

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