It is still unknown how the current rail strike that is affecting all of Canada will impact the Comox Valley. 

The Comox Valley Record reached out to the Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce for comment on the rail strike. In response, executive director, Tracey Clarke referred the Record to the B.C. Chamber of Commerce statement. 

The B.C. Chamber of Commerce issued the following statement in response to the lock-out of the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference Union. 

鈥淥n behalf of the 100 local chambers of commerce and boards of trade and the 36,000 businesses that we represent, we are extremely disappointed that the parties have not been able to negotiate a new contract and that we are now facing unprecedented disruption on both of Canada鈥檚 national railway systems simultaneously.鈥�

On Thursday, Canada鈥檚 Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon intervened to end a work stoppage by forcing the parties into binding arbitration. Friday morning (Aug. 23), however, the Teamsters issued another strike notice to Canadian National Rail (CN) for 72-hours. 

"Please find this letter as official notice to the company of our intention to withdraw the services of our combined membership of approximately 6,500 members," reads the notice sent to CN on Friday morning from the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference.

The Teamsters are expected to strike as of 10 a.m. EST Monday morning (Aug. 26).