(Reuters) – The port of Montreal announced on Friday that customers would face an operational slowdown following a notice of a three-day strike next week at two terminals, which handle 41% of its container traffic.
In a statement, port authority President Julie Gascon emphasized that the uncertainty surrounding port activities would significantly impact importers, exporters, and the general public. Gascon noted that nearly C$6 billion worth of goods were expected to arrive in the coming weeks.
Federal Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon also issued a statement, highlighting the port’s crucial role in Canada’s supply chains and expressing his ongoing monitoring of the situation.
The strike is scheduled to commence at 7 a.m. (1100 GMT) on Monday, with workers demanding higher wages. Montreal, recognized as the largest container port in eastern Canada, contributed to 3.5% of Canadian GDP in 2022, Gascon added.