Canadian government officials are hoping to enact new federal legislation that will mean the return to work of more than 3,000 striking Pacific Railway workers.

According to CBC, lawmakers were expected to be presented with the proposal early Monday. The strike began after midnight on Friday when contract talks between management and the Teamsters union proved unproductive.

In a statement released early Sunday, top company officials vowed to continue operating by deploying management personnel to man a reduce freight schedule. In all, thousands of people, many of them residing in the greater Montreal area, could be affected by a reduction in service.

"I find the current situation unacceptable. ...19,000 clients are being held hostage over a work conflict between CP and the Teamsters," Agence metropolitaine de transport President Nicolas Girard said. "I believe there could have been a better way to settle, to offer at least rush-hour service in the morning and evening."

Several media outlets have reported the strike could cost the Canadian economy upwards of $200 million in GDP every week it lingers.

Noting that during previous labor disputes CP Rail and its unionized employees have agreed to still provide basic service, Girard said he also planned to seek an injunction on Monday to get the workers back on the job.

Three commuter train lines serving Montreal and its environs operate on CP-owned track and are driven by more than 100 CP engineers. Those are the Vaudreuil-Hudson, St-Jérôme and Candiac lines.

AMT said they hoped to run as many as 60 buses along normal train route during the disruption in service to ensure commuters able to get back and forth. Officials estimated they would need a minimum of some 700 buses just to maintain service at daily levels offered by regular rail service.