A former Teamsters business agent’s allegations were dismissed by a labour board, which claimed his union failed to disclose money being spent on “non-core” activities like political campaigns.According to Blacklock's Reporter, cabinet 10 years ago revoked an Act of Parliament that would have forced all unions to publish confidential financial records.“There is no information before the board supporting the assertion the union has been using dues to fund non-core activities,” wrote the Alberta Labour Relations board. “The union expressly states the contrary.”Ryan Adams, former business agent for Teamsters Local 362 of Calgary, filed the complaint alleging the Union was not forthcoming in disclosing its 2024 spending. Alberta’s Labour Relations Code includes a standard clause stating all unions must provide members with yearly audited financial statements detailing how members’ fees were spent..“Of relevance here, unions are required to identify the amount or percentage of dues used for ‘non-core’ activities of the union” defined as “general social causes or issues,” “charities” or “groups affiliated with or supportive of a political party,” wrote the board.Local 362’s financial report stated: “All Union dues, assessments or initiated fees payable by all Alberta regulated bargaining unit members represented by the Union will be used to fund ‘core’ activities only.”Ex-Business Agent Adams alleged Teamsters failed to make full disclosure. The board dismissed the complaint, noting the regulation applied only to use of members’ dues and not other revenue like investment income.“There is no requirement under the Code for a union to disclose the non-core activities that it funds where such funding does not come from dues,” wrote the board..“Thus, to the extent that the Union has been engaging in non-core activities funded by sources other than dues, the Union is not in breach.”Parliament in 2015 passed Bill C-377, An Act To Amend The Income Tax Act to require that all unions disclose senior officers’ salaries, local finances, contracts over $5,000, benefits paid through labour trusts and investment in lobbying, “political activities” and other non-core matters.A newly elected Liberal cabinet revoked the Act on December 21, 2015 only 10 days before it was to take effect.Seven provinces opposed the bill as unconstitutional: Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Québec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. The Journal of Canadian Labour Studies subsequently quoted two Conservative cabinet members as privately opposing the Conservative bill, then-Finance Minister Jim Flaherty and Transport Minister Lisa Raitt..“Bill C-377 was something that senators on both sides were never comfortable with,” Senator Scott Tannas (AB) told the Chamber in 2017. “I felt pressure.” Three senators who refused to vote for the bill subsequently quit the Conservative caucus: Diane Bellemare (QC), Douglas Black (AB) and John Wallace (NB).“I’ve often wondered whether or not Bill C-377 would have passed if we had a secret ballot here,” said Tannas.“I think I know the answer. I think we all know the answer.”
