Canadian employers are calling on the Carney government to give the labor minister the authority to limit certain strike actions before they start. In a proposal discussed by employers, the minister could intervene preemptively in sectors such as airlines, railroads and ports if the minister concludes the strike would threaten the national public interest. Employers argue that such powers would help prevent disruptions to essential transportation and related services. Unions oppose the approach, saying it would allow government restrictions on collective bargaining and labor rights ahead of any strike. Both sides frame the issue as a balance between protecting public interests and preserving workers’ ability to organize and strike. The request is directed at the federal government under Prime Minister Mark Carney, with the labor minister serving as the decision-maker in the proposed framework. The dispute centers on whether preemptive limits are justified and how broadly they could be applied, particularly in industries considered critical to the economy and daily life.