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Labour

During question period on labour matters, members discussed the labour provisions of Bill C-39, the Building Canada Strong Act, which changes rules for collective bargaining under the Canada Labour Code, including around section 107, which lets the government direct the Canada Industrial Relations Board to intervene in labour disputes. The Bloc Québécois said the bill undermines workers’ rights, arguing it would let the government continue to end negotiations and limit the right to strike as it has in the past. The Liberal minister replied that the bill sets limits and guidelines on the use of section 107 and that the government’s aim is to support both workers and employers in reaching agreements rather than interfere in bargaining. One member also referred to the bill as “pipeline spaghetti,” connecting it to the act’s broader project-review changes.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text

2 statements

Gabriel Ste-Marie

Bloc Québécois
“I oppose this bill because it hurts workers' rights. It lets the federal government decide when and how unions can negotiate. It also lets the government shut down negotiations and takes away workers' right to strike.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, indeed, we could call it pipeline spaghetti. Bill C‑39 also undermines workers’ rights. At the federal level, strikes always play out the same way. Employers allow negotiations to deteriorate while they wait for Ottawa to put an end to them using section 107. That would not change. What is changing is that Ottawa is now going to tell unions when and how to begin negotiations. It would also be able to stop negotiations by invoking vague concepts of national interest and social disruption. According to the Fédération des travailleurs et travailleuses du Québec, Bill C‑39 would give the government the power of life or death over the right to strike. Why would anyone trust the federal government with that power?

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Steven MacKinnon

Liberal

Linked statement

“The opposition is making baseless claims. This bill sets clear rules and limits for government intervention in labour disputes. We do not want to interfere in talks. We want to help workers and employers reach their own deals.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Signal 26 of 100

    Much of this statement went to praise, blame, greetings, routine procedure or general stories rather than reasons, requests or specific points.

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, honestly, they just keep throwing spaghetti at the wall. What we are doing is setting limits and guidelines for the use of section 107. The Government of Canada does not want to meddle in collective bargaining. We want to support the parties, both labour and management, so they can finalize their collective agreements, agreements—

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