Lawmakers unanimously pass legislation banning replacement of workers

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OTTAWA — Cheers erupted in the House of Commons on Monday after MPs of all stripes, including the Conservatives, voted unanimously in favor of legislation to ban the use of replacement workers during strikes and lockouts in federally regulated workplaces.

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Speaking after the vote, Labor Minister Seamus O’Regan said he was “very relieved, happy and delighted” that all MPs had voted in favor of the bill and said it sent a “real message” to workers across the country that ” they are also appreciated that the parliamentarians listened to them.”

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“This is an important moment for workers in this country. This is an important moment for labor and we are delighted that it passed unanimously,” said O’Regan.

The ban will affect federally regulated sectors, including air travel, banks, railways, shipping, telecommunications and radio and TV broadcasters, as well as all Crown corporations such as Canada Post and the Canadian Aviation Security Authority.

NDP leader Jagmeet Singh took credit for the ongoing legislation thanks to his party’s supply and confidence agreement with the government. The Liberal Party also promised to ban replacement workers as part of its 2021 election platform.

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“I want to be clear, this would not have happened if the New Democrats had forced the government to do this,” Singh said.

The legislation will now go to the Senate, where it will be studied and possibly passed. The changes will take effect one year after the bill becomes law.

The original bill proposed 18 months for the changes to take effect, but was amended in committee hearings to 12 months.

The Bloc Quebecois criticized the delays, saying the ban on replacing workers at the federal level should go into effect immediately after the bill receives royal assent.

“Why wait a year before implementing it?” asked Bloc House leader Alain Therrien.

“Twelve months is far too long. We have had this law in Quebec for the last 47 years.”

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However, Therrien said he hopes the Senate won’t decide to amend the legislation once again because he fears a game of legislative “ping pong” that could further delay the bill.

The Tories made it clear last February at second reading that they would support a ban on replacement workers as they tried to justify the collar vote.

Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre said in a speech last month that his party supported the legislation because “working people have the right to negotiate and fight for the wage increases they need to keep up with the runaway inflation that has ripped them away “.

Singh said he does not accept Poilievre’s position on worker replacements, arguing that he has voted against similar legislation several times in the past.

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“When the Conservatives are in power, they attack the power of the unions, they attack the power of the workers, so I have concerns … based on the facts, based on the track record of Pierre Poilievre,” he said.

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce criticized the legislation, which it said would hurt the economy in federally regulated sectors such as telecommunications and transportation.

“Replacement workers allow organizations in rail, ports, telecommunications and air to maintain a basic level of continuity that preserves essential services for Canadians,” Robin Guy, vice-president and deputy leader of government relations for the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, wrote in an opinion piece in the Financial Post.

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“There are serious ramifications for all Canadians if we prohibit these workers from keeping those lights on,” he added.

O’Regan rejected the claim that the new legislation would hurt the economy, arguing that banning replacement workers actually speeds up the bargaining process.

“You wouldn’t believe how disruptive it is … how much time and energy it takes away from what we need, their time and energy spent, which is at the table to find solutions, providing more stability, more security for our economy,” he said. .

National Post
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