The Globe and Mail reports in its Thursday, July 6, edition that economic indicators are starting to point in the wrong direction. The Globe's guest columnist Brian Kingston writes that according to the Bank of Canada's latest Business Outlook Survey, sales growth will be weak over the next year, investment intentions have declined and concerns with inflation remain elevated. One of the few bright spots in the survey is an improvement in supply chains allowing companies to work through backlogs, including in the auto industry. Now, however, that bright spot is rapidly fading, with dire economic consequences. Labour strife at Canada's largest port threatens supply chain improvements and could send the economy into the ditch. On Canada Day, longshore workers at B.C. ports, including the Port of Vancouver, launched a strike -- crippling a key component of the country's transportation infrastructure network. For the Canadian auto sector B.C. ports are particularly important. Vancouver is a key transit point for parts and finished vehicles produced and sold in Canada and North America. It also serves as a key transit point for materials needed to build electric vehicle (EV) batteries.