OTTAWA, Ontario, August 12, 2004 -- Parks Canada wishes to advise boaters and visitors of Historic Canals and Waterways that they may experience unplanned service disruptions at some lock stations as a result of picketing or other on-the-job actions by members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) as they seek a new collective agreement with the Parks Canada Agency. Effective Friday, August 13, PSAC members will be in a legal strike position. This notice applies to the following locations: the Lachine, Chambly, Saint-Ours, Sainte-Anne-de Bellevue, and Carillon Historic Canals in Quebec; the Rideau and Sault Sainte-Marie Historic Canals, as well as the Trent Severn Waterway National Historic Site of Canada in Ontario; and the St. Peter's Historic Canal in Nova Scotia. Parks Canada will do its utmost to keep all of its facilities, including historic canals and waterways, open and operating as normally as possible under the circumstances. However, a strike or rotating strikes could force us to temporarily suspend lockage services at the affected locks. The duration of these closures will depend on the duration of the strike or rotating strike, and the picketing activity occurring at the affected locks. We will endeavour to keep washroom facilities open and regularly monitored in the event of a strike or rotating strike. If this is not possible, we will strive to keep them accessible to transiting boaters. As a last resort, we may be forced to close these facilities to ensure public health and safety. Provided Parks Canada is able to provide basic sanitary amenities, and there are no known public health or safety risks, the Agency will continue to offer services such as mooring, camping and picnicking however, we will likely not be able to maintain these services indefinitely if there is a prolonged strike or rotating strikes. Navigation services on open water will continue. If lockage services are suspended for more than 48 hours, Parks Canada will work with boaters and its employees to ensure that stranded boats can be moved to locations where boaters can obtain services and be reasonably assured that their boats are secure. To ensure that boaters have sufficient information to make informed decisions about using the historic canals during a period when strike action is a possibility, Parks Canada is posting current visitor advisories on its Web site and offering up-to-date status information through its national call centre at 1-888-773-8888. Parks Canada regrets any inconvenience to boaters and canal visitors during this period. - 30 - Information: National call centre: 1-888-773-8888 On the Internet: www.pc.gc.ca
