Conservatives vote in favour of Liberals’ Bill C-39, but promise amendments to ‘protect the rights of workers’

OTTAWA – Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre told reporters Thursday that his party intends to bring amendments to the Liberal government’s latest major projects bill, to ensure workers benefit from the government’s build agenda.

Sign In or Create an Account

“We will be putting forward amendments, to protect workers, their jobs, their rights and the working-class people who build this country,” said Poilievre, during a scrum on Parliament Hill.

Bill C-39, titled Building Canada Strong Act, which makes several changes to Canada’s regulatory and environmental laws, promises a one-year timeline and one review for the approval of major projects.

The bill also makes changes to the Canada Labour Code, including changes to collective bargaining and giving the labour minister “guardrails” on when they can intervene to end a lockout or strike. Those “guardrails” include a special mediator and a national interest test.

The government has argued this gives more transparency to the labour minister’s use of Section 107 of the labour code, although labour unions argue it gives too much discretionary power to a member of cabinet and threatens workers’ fundamental right to strike.

The Liberal government has used Section 107 to end several strikes and lockouts at ports, railways and airlines.

The omnibus bill passed second reading on Thursday, with help from the Conservative Party, and will now go to a special committee for members of Parliament to study. Members of the Bloc Québécois, NDP and Green parties voted against the legislation.

Poilievre did not provide details on what sort of amendments his party will bring forward but has been in contact with labour unions about the bill.

“I think it’s appalling that after the Carney Liberals have destroyed the paycheques of the working class through high taxes and inflation, they are now blaming those same workers for our economic weakness that he caused,” said Poilievre.

Green Party Leader Elizabeth May warned Thursday, that like its predecessor Bill C-5, which was passed last year, the latest major projects bill gives immense discretionary power to ministers.

“Once Cabinet decides a project or undefined region of national interest has been decreed by Cabinet (then) every future decision will be taken for the furtherance of the project,” said May. “It’s quite extraordinary.”

May said this allows government to bulldoze through existing laws to get things built faster, which does not necessarily mean better outcomes.

“When you move fast, you often end up with projects being 300 to 400 per cent over budget,” said May, citing empirical evidence from a book titled “How Big Things Get Done.”

Liberal MP Patrick Weiler appeared to criticize the bill on Tuesday evening, while debating the bill in the House of Commons, to voice similar concerns outlined by May.

“Given that the powers in this bill would be permanent, it is important that where new flexibility or discretion is created, Parliament instils clear and transparent processes,” said Weiler.

Weiler said he ultimately supports the aim of the bill and voted in support of Bill C-39 with his caucus on Thursday.

Meanwhile, labour unions continued to voice their concerns about the bill on Thursday, urging the Liberal government to remove the provisions related to Section 107, or face the risk of more labour unrest.

“I can tell you that our national executive board has just made a decision that said if locals who are out on strike want to defy, our union will stand with them,” said Candace Rennick, national secretary-treasury at the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), during a press conference in Ottawa.

“Because it’s CUPE members and CUPE members only that should decide when their picket lines end,” she added.

National Post

Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark nationalpost.com and sign up for our newsletters here.

This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.