Work stoppages hit the ports of Vancouver, Prince Rupert and Montreal in recent weeks, and congestion of cargo containers will take weeks to clear out. $572 million in container trade arrives daily in the U.S. from Canada, according to U.S. Census data.

Canada on Tuesday moved to end labor disputes at the country's two biggest ports, Vancouver and Montreal, citing economic damage and the potential for driving away trading partners.

Canada’s Labor Minister, Steven MacKinnon, has taken decisive action to end the recent labor disruptions affecting key ports in Vancouver, Prince Rupert, and Montreal. By invoking federal powers, MacKinnon has ordered binding arbitration between the labor unions and port owners,