Canada: Bill to ban replacement workers during strikes fails as Dion changes sides (1 supporter shor

[Omaha Steve]

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Copyright 2007 The Vancouver Sun, a division of CanWest MediaWorks Publication Inc.
All Rights Reserved

The Vancouver Sun (British Columbia)
March 22, 2007 Thursday
Final Edition
BUSINESSBC; Pg. C4
405 words
Bill to ban replacement workers during strikes fails as Dion changes sides
Andrew Mayeda, CanWest News Service
OTTAWA

OTTAWA -- A Bloc Quebecois bill that would have banned the use of replacement workers during strikes was defeated on Wednesday after Liberal Leader Stephane Dion withdrew his support.

Business groups had aggressively lobbied MPs to reject the bill, warning it would hurt the economy by preventing companies from running their operation during strikes.

The legislation would have made it illegal for employers to hire replacement workers while their employees are locked out or on strike.

It would have affected all federally regulated industries, including telecommunications, railways and banks.

But the bill, which was sponsored by Bloc MP Richard Nadeau, failed on Wednesday with a vote of 177-122, with the Conservatives and most Liberals voting against it.

Before the vote, Dion said he would allow his caucus to vote freely on the bill. But he could not personally support it because it does not ensure "essential services" will not be interrupted.

"If there is a strike at an airport or a bank, the effect on the Canadian economy would be very huge, and you need to clarify the issue of essential workers," Dion said.

The Liberals prop
osed amendments that would have protected essential services, but the House speaker ruled that the amendments could not be admitted.

Dion said Wednesday his party would eventually table a separate bill that would include an essential-services provision. "We believe in the principle that replacement workers must be dealt with in a fair way."

Bloc Leader Gilles Duceppe said it was a "shame" that Dion withdrew his support.

"Dion was influenced by big business. Period. But the thing is, people who are voting are not big business, ordinary citizens and he'll pay for that."

Organized labour, which had also lobbied MPs for support, was disappointed.

The Canadian Labour Congress accused business lobbyists of targeting politicians with a "campaign of fear" to defeat the bill.

Union leaders argued the bill actually would have shortened strikes and prevented confrontation along the picket lines. They pointed out that similar legislation has been in place in Quebec for three decades, without any major disruptions to industry.

Conservative Labour Minister Jean-Pierre Blackburn mounted his own last-minute campaign to defeat the bill by writing an op-ed piece for newspapers this week.

He said the bill "needs to be stopped," warning it would "endanger critical economic infrastructure and services."
March 22, 2007

[Kagemusha]

1. What do you mean, "1 vote short"?

The vote was 177-122 right? Just seeking clarification, thanks.

[Omaha Steve]

3. Did they need more than a simple majority?

I know nothing about Canadian law. The service I scanned for the story says one vote short. Somebody know the way this works in OTTAWA?

[Kagemusha]

4. Works the same like any other lower house, simple majority

You need more than one pass at it to actually pass the law though. 1st reading is usually a total formality for later consideration, 2nd brings it up for serious debate, 3rd is like a confirmation vote, IIRC. If it passes 3rd reading it goes to the senate, usually on its way to becoming law.

[Omaha Steve]

5. So that many votes changed after Stephane Dion withdrew his support?

I too wish we had more info.

[Double T]

2. Looks like Canada has the 'american corporate cancer';.............

hope it is NOT as fatal to the Canadian Workers as it has been to the American Workers.