The federal minister for jobs and families says legislation to amend the labour code protects the right to strike while reducing the incidence of strikes and lockouts.
Thunder Bay-Superior North MP Patty Hajdu (HIGH-doo) says Northern Ontario feels the impact of work stoppages. She uses the example of rail delivery of essential goods to remote communities.
“It becomes the government’s problem to solve if the parties aren’t really redirected to the table and ultimately, we’re trying to put the responsibility where it lies,” she outlines, which is at the table between the two parties and give them the support that they need in order to get to that deal.”
The proposed legislation includes earlier mediation when negotiations run into trouble.
In the midst of the booming resource sector in Northern Ontario and all the turmoil in world markets, Hajdu says labour peace is particularly important.
“We want to make sure we can tell the world you can trade in Canada, we have a stable system, we have good labour relations, but we also want to be very clear that we stand up for the right to strike.”
Details on the amendments to the labour code and how Hajdu thinks it affects Northern Ontario are in audio form below.
