The labor minister says the lockouts on both coasts create ‘uncertainty and instability’ in the country’s economy.

The British Columbia ports labour dispute continued on Tuesday, impacting exports at Canada's biggest port in Vancouver with no sign of negotiating progress.

Canada’s labor minister said Tuesday he is intervening to end lockouts at the country’s two biggest ports. Labor Minister Steven Mackinnon said the negotiations have reached an impasse and he is directing the Canada Industrial Relations Board to order the resumption of all operations at the ports and move the talks to binding arbitration.

Patrick Gloutney, president of the CUPE union locked out at the Montreal port, denounced the decision, calling it "a dark day for workers' rights."