Strike looms at St. Lawrence Seaway

Labour Minister Lisa Raitt is urging negotiators to reach an agreement to avert a strike that would shut down the St. Lawrence Seaway.

Raitt stops short of threatening back-to-work legislation, but she says any work stoppage could hurt the Canadian economy.

About 475 seaway workers, represented by the Canadian Auto Workers Union, could walk off the job Monday at noon.

A strike would halt the movement of the large freighters that carry billions of dollars worth of goods to and from the cities along the Great Lakes.

Talks continue this weekend with the help of a federal mediator.