Bruske will urge committee members to remove the proposed expansion of Section 107 and adopt amendments the CLC has already presented to the Minister of Labour.

“We’ve heard a great deal about the need for economic certainty. But protecting workers’ rights and maintaining labour stability are not competing goals,” said Bruske. “Parliament needs to consider what happens to collective bargaining when employers can count on the government to intervene.”

The CLC warns that giving employers reason to expect government intervention could make disputes harder to settle. It could also erode workers’ confidence in the labour relations system, increasing the risk of illegal strikes and escalating conflict.

“When workers lose faith that their legal rights will be respected, the risk of illegal strikes and escalating labour conflict grows,” said Bruske. “The government is taking an enormous gamble with a system that has served Canada well for decades.”

The CLC has proposed an alternative that would remove the new Section 107 powers and prevent the existing provision from being used to end legal strikes. It would also establish an independent panel of labour relations experts to assess whether a strike has created a genuine national economic emergency.

Under the proposed amendments, any decision to end a legal strike would require the government to make its case to Parliament, rather than allowing a minister to act unilaterally.

“Canada’s unions want a strong economy, reliable supply chains and stable labour relations. We share those goals with the business community,” said Bruske. “Labour stability is built when workers and employers bargain and reach a fair deal, not when government puts its thumb on the scale for employers.”

Bruske’s appearance follows testimony from business organizations, including the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters.

“We’ve given the government a clear path forward,” said Bruske. “Canada doesn’t have to sacrifice workers’ rights to achieve labour stability. Our amendments protect both. We’re asking parliamentarians to adopt them.”

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Media availability: Bea Bruske will appear before the Legislative Committee on Bill C-39 on Tuesday, October 20, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. ET.

Backgrounder – CLC’s Proposed Amendments to Bill C-39

The Canadian Labour Congress has submitted proposed amendments to the Minister of Labour focused on four changes.

1. Remove the new Section 107 powers and protect legal strikes

Remove the proposed expansion of Section 107 and clarify that the existing provision cannot be used to direct the end of legal strikes. Limit its use to referring questions to the Canada Industrial Relations Board, consistent with its historical purpose.

2. Establish an independent public interest panel

Create a standing panel of independent labour relations experts to assess whether an ongoing strike has caused a genuine national economic emergency. Intervention could be considered only where there is imminent, widespread, serious, and irreparable harm to the national economy. Ordinary economic disruption would not meet this threshold.

3. Require parliamentary consideration

The independent panel would provide its assessment to the Minister or Cabinet. If the government believed intervention was necessary, it would have to introduce back-to-work legislation for Parliament to consider, rather than ending the strike through ministerial action.

4. Ensure mediators are independent and qualified

Require special mediators to be independent of government, experienced in collective bargaining, and trusted by both unions and employers, with a mandate to help the parties reach negotiated agreements.

The proposed approach draws on recommendations from independent federal labour relations reviews, including the 1967 Woods Report and the 1996 Sims Report, which supported using independent expert bodies to assess disputes affecting the public interest.

To arrange an interview, please contact:
CLC Media Relations
media@clcctc.ca
613-526-7426

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