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Canada's Labour Board orders Montreal port operations to resume

The Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB), after being directed by the federal government to resolve port disputes, ordered a resumption of port operations on Saturday morning.

Canada intervened on Tuesday to end labour disputes in the largest ports of the country, including Vancouver, British Columbia, and Montreal, Quebec. The Canadian government cited economic damages and the possibility of driving away trading partners as reasons for its intervention.

The Liberal government intervened for the second time within three months to end a labour dispute. It ordered the end of work stoppages in August at two of the largest railway companies.

The Maritime Employers Association said that it would comply to the directive of the Labour Board, allowing Montreal port operations to resume over the weekend.

Montreal Longshoremen's Union rejected Sunday a final labour contract offer, resulting in a lockout.

The union didn't immediately respond to an outside of regular business hours request for comment on the resumption activities.

The dispute has affected shipments of forest products, canola oil and other goods.

The International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 514, which represents supervisory workers at the British Columbia docks, announced on Tuesday that it would challenge the orders of the Minister.

The BC Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA), which represents West Coast ports including Vancouver, received an order from the Labour Board on Wednesday for operations to resume on Thursday.

(source: Reuters)