Discussion · Government Orders
Kevin Lamoureux Liberal
“The minister already has the power to act under the current law, and this bill adds more accountability. Why does the member feel more threatened by these changes? What has actually changed?”
“Madam Speaker, I have a couple of points, followed by a question. If we take a look at my home province of Manitoba, the Government of Manitoba, through the Manitoba Labour Board, has instructed health care workers to go back to work. That is happening because Manitoba deemed those workers as essential services. If we take a look at section 107, which the member made reference to, what I do not fully understand is what in section 107 has changed that would prevent the minister from doing something now. When I look at it, it seems to me that there is more accountability with the changes in the legislation, because the minister can do the things through section 107 today that the member is making reference to. Can the member provide some clarification on why he feels more threatened now under section 107? What has changed?”
Madam Speaker, I have a couple of points, followed by a question. If we take a look at my home province of Manitoba, the Government of Manitoba, through the Manitoba Labour Board, has instructed health care workers to go back to work. That is happening because Manitoba deemed those workers as essential services. If we take a look at section 107, which the member made reference to, what I do not fully understand is what in section 107 has changed that would prevent the minister from doing something now. When I look at it, it seems to me that there is more accountability with the changes in the legislation, because the minister can do the things through section 107 today that the member is making reference to. Can the member provide some clarification on why he feels more threatened now under section 107? What has changed?