Canada Government Orders Rail Workers Back to Work

The Canadian government has intervened to end a significant rail stoppage caused by lockouts at Canadian National Railway (CN) and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC), which disrupted vital supply chains and could have inflicted significant economic damage. Over 9,000 unionized workers were affected, and the government has ordered binding arbitration to resolve the labor disputes. CN workers are set to return to work, but the stoppage at CPKC continues pending further orders from the Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB). The government’s intervention has been met with mixed reactions; business groups are relieved, while the union plans to challenge the arbitration order. The disruption has already impacted industries such as forestry and automotive, highlighting the critical role of rail services in North America's economy.