November 12 - Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon has made the decision to intervene with binding arbitration in both the Port of Vancouver and the Port of Montreal work stoppages, bringing an end to the labor action on both coasts. Importers can expect regular operations in both ports to resume imminently. 

The Minister indicated in a press conference that the Montreal labor action has been at an impasse for nearly two years, and while the Vancouver strike only began on November 4th, “...Canadians have limited tolerance right now for economic self-harm” and indicated that the “interests of businesses, workers, farmers, families, and all Canadians” was at the heart of the decision.  

For the minister's complete statement, please click here. 

‍November 13 - The unions representing the Port of Vancouver and Port of Montreal workers have announced their plans to contest the decision by Minster Steven MacKinnon, citing concerns that the lockout was not intended “to pressure the workers; it was to pressure the government to intervene.”

While the port workers have been ordered to return to work, this disagreement between the government and the port worker’s respective unions will likely continue to affect the port’s day-to-day operations.

November 14 - Despite concerns over government overreach from both the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), dock workers in Vancouver are expected to return back to work beginning in the late afternoon on Thursday, November 14th, while those in Montreal should be returning on the morning of the 16th.