‘This system is going to provide more stability and more predictability, so people know what the rules are,’ says expert
The federal government tabled legislation on Monday that would fundamentally overhaul how Ottawa manages labour disputes and collective bargaining in federally regulated industries – formalizing years of increasingly frequent ad hoc interventions and putting Canada's airlines, railways, and ports on notice that the informal rules governing their labour relations are about to become a great deal more explicit.
Bill C-39, the Building Canada Strong Act, proposes to amend the Canada Labour Code to introduce new conditions on when the Minister of Jobs and Families can invoke Section 107 – the executive power to direct the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) to suspend a strike or lockout. Previously used at the government's discretion alone, future use would require the minister to satisfy two conditions: a formal declaration that the dispute is adversely affecting the national interest, and a report from a newly created special mediator.
The bill also requires parties in sectors with a history of labour disruption to begin formal bargaining at least six months before a contract expires. Following any work stoppage, government-facilitated relationship repair between management and unions would become mandatory. On the worker protection side, Bill C-39 adds 100 new federal health and safety officers – increasing inspection capacity by approximately 70...
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