Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan has opened year-long consultations on a proposal to ban replacement workers in the federally-regulated private sector during strikes, according to Blacklock’s Reporter. .“We are consulting on how to make the process more efficient,” O’Regan told reporters. .O’Regan said amendments to the Canada Labour Code would “keep parties at the negotiating table because the best deals are made at the negotiating table.” .One reporter asked if the business community told him if it would hurt the economy. He said he suspects they will be unsatisfied with the eventual bill. .The Liberals promised in 2021 to introduce legislation to prohibit replacement workers being used when a union employer in a federally-regulated industry locks out employees. .Cabinet repeated the promise in a ministerial mandate letter in December. The supply and confidence agreement the Liberals and NDP have reiterated this pledge. .“I am going into this with eyes wide open,” said NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh. .“We have full accountability.”.Singh said the NDP has “the ability to withdraw our support, but we are hopeful that it works.” .NDP MPs introduced private member bills 15 times in the past 12 years to amend the Canada Labour Code with $10,000 per day fines for employers hiring replacement workers during strikes or lockouts. Legislation must be introduced by Dec. 31, 2023 under the current pact with the NDP. .Singh removed his party’s blanket support for Liberal cabinet bills after the 2021 election. .READ MORE: Singh to Trudeau: ‘Action or another election’.He said the cabinet must make concessions, including acting on a Liberal proposal to ban replacement workers in the federally-regulated private sector..“This is something that is a longstanding principle of New Democrats,” he said.
