Rail work stoppage shuts down some Canadian commuter rail lines and halts freight rail operations

Railway workers in Canada are set to resume bargaining with the country's two largest railways, Canadian National Railway Co. and Canadian Pacific Kansas City Ltd., after contract talks broke off on Wednesday night. The lockout, which was implemented after the deadline for a new contract was missed, has already disrupted commuter railways in Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver, and has halted rail service in Southern Ontario. The shutdown is expected to have significant economic consequences, including disruptions to trade with the United States and other countries, as well as impacts on shipments of grain, potash, and coal. Industry groups had urged the government to prevent the stoppage, citing the importance of rail transport to Canada's economy. Approximately 6,500 containers enter the United States by rail every day, according to the Railway Association of Canada.