Canada Labor Minister forces unions back to ports after work stoppages [Video]

Canadian Labor Minister Steven MacKinnon has invoked federal powers to end work stoppages at the ports of Vancouver, Prince Rupert and Montreal, ordering binding and final arbitration between labor unions and ports ownership.

Strike actions by unions and ports ownership lockouts had hit both coasts of the key U.S. northern trade partner. Vancouver and Prince Rupert have been shut down since November 4, while Montreal dockworkers were locked out by ports management on Monday.

But the damage to the supply chain has been done, and will it take weeks to clear out the container congestion bound for both Canadian and U.S. companies.

“The disruption these disputes caused to retail supply chains were severe, and all at our busiest time of the year,” the Retail Council of Canada said in a statement to CNBC. “The ripple effects will continue to be felt. It will take weeks for our sector to recover but Canadians can rest assured that they will …