Arbitration hearings between maritime employers and longshore workers at the Port of Montreal are expected to finish by early 2026, more than two years after the last contract expired and triggered sporadic stoppages, reports New York's Journal of Commerce.

Arbitrator Maureen Flynn began hearings in September between the Maritime Employers Association and CUPE Local 375, representing 1,300 dockers. Mediated talks earlier in 2025 failed to produce a deal, prompting Canada's labour minister to order workers back on the job under Section 107 of federal law.

Paul Bird, chief commercial officer of the Montreal Port Authority, said he expects a decision by the first quarter of 2026. Montreal's container count has risen in 2025, but cargo tonnage remains two million tonnes below 2019 levels.

Mr Bird noted shippers have rerouted freight to US East Coast ports due to concerns over stoppages. He said a new contract should restore confidence and bring volumes back through Montreal.

Other Canadian East Coast ports face pending negotiations. Halifax's contract for 631 ILA members expires at the end of 2025, while Saint John will see two agreements covering 268 ILA members also expire.

CUPE is pushing to repeal Section 107, arguing the government abused its power when invoking the law to end strikes last year. The provision has also been applied to rail and postal workers, though it failed to stop a brief Air Canada flight attendants' strike in 2025.

Canada recorded 62 transportation work stoppages between 2023 and 2024. Canadian National Railway vice president Dan Bresolin said repeated strikes have eroded trust among carriers and shippers, undermining efforts to attract larger ships and more business to Canadian gateways.