Business leaders are worried that ongoing port shutdowns in Vancouver and Montreal are hurting Canada's reputation and economy. Dennis Darby, head of Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters, says these disruptions are happening at the worst time, with year-end deadlines and an upcoming U. S. election. He warns that continuous issues make Canada look unreliable to trading partners. Experts estimate that these strikes are costing the country between $400 million to $800 million daily. Pascal Chan from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce agrees, stating that these shutdowns make Canada look closed for business. Labor Minister Steven MacKinnon urges both sides to negotiate and end the disputes quickly. Barry Prentice, a transport expert, warns that these shutdowns could hurt long-term investment in the country.
