Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon is stepping in to resolve the work stoppages at ports in British Columbia and Montreal.
On Tuesday, the minister announced that negotiations had reached a standstill, prompting him to direct the Canada Industrial Relations Board to mandate the resumption of all port operations and shift the discussions to binding arbitration.
MacKinnon emphasized that the ongoing work stoppages at the ports in British Columbia and Montreal are severely affecting supply chains, numerous jobs, and Canada’s reputation as a dependable trading partner.
He stated, “Negotiated agreements are preferred, but we cannot allow other Canadians to suffer when certain parties fail to reach a resolution. It is my responsibility to act in the best interest of businesses, workers, farmers, families, and all Canadians.”
Various business groups had been urging government intervention to facilitate the movement of goods once again.
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The minister’s decisive action follows the government’s earlier intervention to resolve halted operations at Canada’s main railways in August.
MacKinnon expressed optimism that port operations can resume within days.
The Maritime Employers Association locked out 1,200 longshore workers at the Port of Montreal on Sunday night after workers rejected the employers’ final contract offer.
The job action in British Columbia stemmed from a labour dispute involving over 700 longshore supervisors, leading to a halt in container cargo traffic at West Coast terminals.
