The lockout of thousands of people working Canada’s rail lines is going to be short lived.

About 9000 workers at CN and CP Rail were locked out at midnight Thursday, essentially halting trains across the country.

The federal government has ordered contract negotiations be settled by binding arbitration.

At a Thursday news conference, Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon maintained his government is "committed totally to collective bargaining," but said the impacts of the work stoppage are being felt by all Canadians.

"Millions of Canadians rely on our railways every day," he said. "Workers, farmers, ranchers, commuters, small businesses, miners, chemists, scientists … the impacts cannot be understated and they extend to every corner of this country."

Both sides say they are making plans to resume operations but there's been no timeline announced.