Canada Ends Port Lockouts Amid Negotiation Impasse

Canada's Labor Minister Steven MacKinnon has intervened to resolve ongoing lockouts at the country's two largest ports in British Columbia and Montreal, directing the Canada Industrial Relations Board to enforce binding arbitration. The labor disputes have resulted in significant economic disruption, affecting over $1.2 billion worth of goods daily and jeopardizing thousands of jobs. MacKinnon emphasized the need for urgent action, citing the detrimental impact on Canada's reputation as a reliable trading partner. This intervention follows a similar government action in August to resolve halted operations at Canada's main railways. MacKinnon expressed optimism that operations could resume within days as negotiations had reached a total impasse. Business groups had been advocating for government involvement to restore the flow of goods.