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Labour

During question period on labour matters, members discussed contract talks at Marine Atlantic, the Crown corporation that runs ferries between Newfoundland and the mainland. The member for Port aux Basques–Argentia said the union’s agreement ended in December and a strike could come in days, arguing a strike would hurt a struggling economy and asking why the Prime Minister had not helped reach a deal. The minister said collective agreements are negotiated between the employer and the union, not the government, and that federal mediators are supporting the talks, which she urged both sides to continue. She added that the Prime Minister would not personally join the negotiations.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text

4 statements

Jonathan Rowe

Conservative
“Ferries bring food and medicine to Newfoundland, but the workers might strike in 17 days without a contract. I want to know why the Prime Minister has not made a deal.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, Port aux Basques and Argentia ferries are critical to Newfoundland’s economy. They supply our food, medication and everything else. However, the union’s agreement ended in December. The unions have been fighting for a deal ever since. This Prime Minister was elected on the premise that he was supposed to be a great negotiator, the one to go against Trump, the saviour in the Trump negotiations, and yet we are 17 days away from a strike. Is it that the Prime Minister is not able to make a deal or that he refuses to make it a priority?

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Patty Hajdu

Liberal
“The government does not make this deal. The employer and the union must make it together. Our mediators are helping them, and we urge both sides to keep talking.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

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    Of this answer, 100% addressed the question that was asked.

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, first, let me be clear, it is not the Prime Minister or the Government of Canada that is going to make a deal. In fact, it is the employer and the union. That is how labour relations work in this country. We do have a federal mediation service. Federal mediation service is with the parties. We urge the parties to continue to negotiate for a fair collective agreement. We will be there with all of the support necessary to get that agreement in place.

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Jonathan Rowe

Conservative
“Businesses are failing and the economy is struggling. Nobody can afford a ferry strike. I want the government to step in and get a fair deal for the Marine Atlantic workers.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I am going to let that minister in on a little secret. These ferries are a federal Crown corporation. Canada has just entered into a recession. Tourism businesses across this country are still having to pay off COVID debt. More small businesses in this country are closing than opening. Insolvencies are higher since 2000. Nobody in Canada and in Newfoundland can afford this strike, including the union workers. Will this federal Crown corporation and these Liberals take responsibility, and get a fair deal for Marine Atlantic workers?

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Patty Hajdu

Liberal

Linked statement

“The Prime Minister will not step into these talks. Employers and unions must work together, and our mediators will help them reach a deal.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

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    This statement targeted a person rather than their actions or views: “something this member ought to know”.

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I think the president of the Crown corporation might be a bit surprised if the Prime Minister showed up to negotiate this collective agreement. Instead, we will do what we have done for centuries. We will let employers work with employees. We will provide them with the support through the federal mediation service so they can negotiate this collective agreement, and we will help make sure they get that over the finish line. That is how labour negotiations are done in this country, with respect for employers and for unions, something this member ought to know.

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