Trudeau Says Government Will Have Update Shortly on Solution to Rail Lockout

Rail workers picket in front of CN headquarters in Montreal on Aug. 22, 2024, the first day of a nationwide rail shutdown, after workers were locked out by CN and CPKC when new contract agreements weren't reached by the midnight deadline. The Canadian Press/Ryan Remiorz

The economic consequences of a lockout that began at Canada’s two biggest rail companies on Thursday are weighing on the federal government as the Liberals consider what action they could take to get the trains moving again.

Canadian National Railway Co. and Canadian Pacific Kansas City Ltd. locked out 9,300 engineers, conductors and yard workers after the parties did not agree on new contracts before a midnight deadline.