Port of Montreal Operational Slowdown

(Reuters) – The Port of Montreal announced on Friday that customers would face an operational slowdown due to a three-day strike notice issued by a union at two terminals. These terminals handle 41% of the port's container traffic.

Julie Gascon, the port authority President, stated, "The uncertainty surrounding our activities will have a domino effect on importers and exporters who rely on the transportation of goods, as well as the general public."

Almost C$6 billion worth of goods are set to arrive in the coming weeks, according to her.

Federal Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon remarked that the port is essential to Canada’s supply chains and that he is monitoring the situation closely.

The strike is scheduled to begin at 7 a.m. (1100 GMT) on Monday, with workers demanding higher wages.

Montreal is the largest container port in eastern Canada and accounted for 3.5% of Canadian GDP in 2022, Gascon noted.