T&T TRAVELLERS HIT BY CANADIAN STRIKE

A STRIKE by 155,000 public sector workers in Canada would affect travel to that country.

Trinidadians and Tobagonians are among people from around the world who are seeking to migrate to the North American country, which is welcoming almost 500,000 permanent residents this year.

Processing of those applications is likely to be stalled during the strike.

In addition, thousands of T&T nationals each year seek visitor visas for summer travel to Canada, to spend time with relatives and friends.

Passport services are among several operations that have been affected by the strike, which comes amid a deadlock in negotiations for a new collective agreement.

The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada agency said limited visa and immigration services are being provided.

Applications for asylum and consular services are also affected.

The strike by federal workers is the largest in three decades in Canada.

The trade union, Public Service Alliance of Canada, said it has exhausted all other avenues to negotiate “a fair contract” and that an “overwhelming majority” of its members voted for the strike.

The union’s boss said that both parties are still “a ways apart” from reaching an agreement.

Some T&T migrants to Canada are employed in the public sector.