Canada faces a potentially devastating rail strike starting Thursday, with 9,000 unionized workers from Canadian National Railway (CN) and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) set to walk off the job. The stoppage would severely impact various sectors, including agriculture, chemical production, and cross-border trade with the U.S., potentially costing the economy over C$1 billion per day. Federal Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon is urging both sides to reach an agreement, but little progress has been made. U.S. businesses, reliant on integrated rail networks, also call for immediate intervention to mitigate disruptions. Economists predict a significant but short-lived impact, with essential goods like grain and fertilizers being particularly affected. The strike highlights the critical role of rail transport in North America's supply chain.