OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau encouraged rail companies and their union to reach a deal on their own, with just hours left to avoid a work stoppage that would bring the Canadian economy to a halt.

“My message is very straightforward. It is in the best interest of both sides to continue doing the hard work at the table to find a negotiated resolution,” he said. “Millions of Canadians, of workers, of farmers, of businesses right across the country are counting on both sides to do the work and get to a resolution.”