08:06 AM EST, 11/08/2024 (MT Newswires) -- The simultaneous work stoppages at Canada's three largest ports are damaging many small businesses and costing the country's economy hundreds of millions every day, said the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) on Friday.

The current shutdowns at the Port of Montreal and British Columbia ports cannot drag on any longer, stated CFIB.

Last year's 13-day strike at BC ports was disastrous for small businesses and the Canadian economy. The current work stoppage in BC is already in its fifth day and in Montreal, it is entering its second week, it noted.

BC ports and the Port of Montreal need to be made fully operational immediately. Businesses cannot afford to have their revenue vanish due to lost trade, inventory and sales ahead of the peak holiday retail season, added CFIB.

The longer these work stoppages last, the longer it will take for the backlog to clear and for supply chains to be fully restored. Canada's economic growth remains slow.

The federal government must take action as the longer these work stoppages drag on, the greater the impact will be on Canada's economy, productivity and viability of many small businesses, according to the association.

The work stoppages can't last any longer. The federal government must immediately introduce binding arbitration or legislate workers back to work, demanded CFIB. Ports across the country must also be deemed essential, so they remain operational at all times and so Canada avoids stoppages at critical times for small businesses in the future.