OTTAWA — Employer groups say Ottawa’s proposed labour law changes are encouraging but some want the Liberal government to go even further to ensure industrial peace.
Unions are already decrying the measures in Bill C-39, tabled earlier this week, as an attack on workers’ rights.
The proposed legislation, if passed, would pave the way for streamlined project approvals across the country and make changes to the Canada Labour Code.
The amendments include new tools to encourage unions and employers to get a deal when there’s been a history of fraught negotiations. Some changes could give the labour minister more power to end strikes affecting critical sectors of the economy.
Most employer associations weighing in on Bill C-39 this week broadly welcomed the proposals.
Derrick Hynes is the CEO of the Federally Regulated Employers — Transportation and Communications, or FETCO. He represents employers from Canada’s railways, ports and airlines who would be subject to the proposed regulations.
“At a high level, I would say there are some positive changes in this bill that will improve and stabilize collective bargaining,” Hynes said in an interview.
A new special mediator position proposed by the legislation could help to bridge gaps between deadlocked parties, Hynes said. He also praised government promises to give more resources to government bodies tasked with resolving grievances and evaluating workplace safety.
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