NDP MP Jenny Kwan says she’s looking for a way to stop the federal government’s increasingly frequent intervention to end strikes.
In the last 14 months, the government has invoked Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code to try to end at least eight strikes in federally regulated industries.
The use of Section 107 has been controversial. A group of employers says it can be used to avoid economic catastrophe caused by prolonged labour stoppages.
But unions across Canada have spoken out against the increasing use, saying it violates workers’ Charter rights and increases employers’ power. Teamsters Canada is challenging Ottawa’s use of the legislation in court.
Now, Kwan says she’s hoping to pressure the government to stop using Section 107 to end strikes.
“What we’re seeing is a Liberal government abusing its power, in my view, in violation of the workers’ right to strike that’s prescribed in our Charter,” Kwan said. “How do you stop this from happening?”
