A Canadian Federation of Independent Business survey indicates more than half of business owners across Canada, at 53 per cent, say the strike at the Port of Vancouver will affect their operations. Seventy-five per cent are calling on the federal government to help bring an end to the strike which began July 1st.

The CFIB’s Director of National Affairs, Christina Santini, says the government needs to intervene quickly because small businesses cannot continually bear the brunt of service and supply chain disruptions. Unless the parties negotiate a contract deal in the next week, the CFIB urges the federal government to enact back-to-work legislation so businesses aren’t unfairly punished by circumstances outside of their control. She notes that the Port of Montreal 19-day strike caused an 85-da6 backlog according to Maritime Magazine. Santini adds that when businesses have to tighten their budgets, workers could be affected.