Canada’s labor minister said Tuesday he is intervening to end lockouts at the country’s two biggest ports. Labor Minister Steven Mackinnon said the negotiations have reached an impasse and he is directing the Canada Industrial Relations Board to order the resumption of all operations at the ports and move the talks to binding arbitration.

Canada on Tuesday moved to end labor disputes at the country's two biggest ports, Vancouver and Montreal, citing economic damage and the potential for driving away trading partners. It was the second time in a few months that the Liberal government has stepped in to halt a dispute.