Business Scare Tactics Defeat Anti-Scab Bill

The The Conservatives and a majority of Liberal MPs teamed up to defeat of federal anti-scab legislation in the House of Commons. The New Democratic Party and the Bloc supported it. Most Liberals backed the bill when it passed second reading last fall, but that changed when Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion spoke out against it in caucus Wednesday. Bill C-257, the anti-scab bill, was defeated 177-124 at third reading in the Commons on March 21.

"The scare tactics that were used to defeat this bill were completely unjustified," said James Clancy, president of the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE). "Really, this was a small, painless piece of legislation that would not have resulted in any of the frightening scenarios invoked by big business lobbyists to convince MPs to defeat it. In fact, it would have improved labour-management relations nationally by creating a better balance between employers and employees."

Clancy said the positive way that anti-scab legislation has worked over the years in two of Canada's biggest provinces - Quebec and British Columbia - is all the proof politicians should have needed to pass C-257.

"When business barks, Ottawa jumps," Clancy added. "As far as working Canadians are concerned, they might as well rename the federal labour department the 'Ministry of Business' and be done with it."