Transport committee  Right.

Transport committee  I would say that obviously my attempt to fix what we know in Ontario were outdated labour laws from the forties and finally get them the proper attention that they deserve and need.... Clearly the federal government has a role as a funding partner in some major infrastructure pro

Transport committee  I wanted to add and would be remiss not to mention, since Mr. McGuinty asked the question about support from other parties, that I would ask him to speak to his brother on this one, so that we can gain support for—

Transport committee  We can come back to it.

Transport committee  I think there is some information there that in fact you have incorrect, sir, and you know what? The Harris government did in fact try to correct this loophole through the construction employer application process, but it's the intent or how the Labour Relations Board determines

Transport committee  In my remarks, I mentioned there's a possibility or a conversation to be had on how the federal government can ensure taxpayers that open tendering occurs, not only in Ontario but across Canada. We all know there's only one taxpayer, not a municipal, provincial, or federal taxpay

Transport committee  I don't have an affiliation obviously, but absolutely not. I believe there is lots of room in Ontario and Canada for both union and non-unionized labour to perform the tasks at hand.

Transport committee  This is about fairness. I've said regardless of one's affiliation with a particular union or a non-union, they should have the right to work on publicly funded infrastructure projects. This will ensure that taxpayers get the highest quality at the lowest cost. This is not about u

Transport committee  No. I don't see how, if there are only two coffee shops in town, the price of coffee is going to come down.

Transport committee  I think it's fair to note that the monopoly in Hamilton is a union monopoly. Projects would still be tendered, but only by companies organized by the carpenters' union.

Transport committee  This would create a union monopoly and that really necessitates a private sector oligopoly.

Transport committee  Yes, and I think it's important to note, too, that we talk about percentages, but as a percentage in terms of real dollars for taxpayers, the City of Hamilton projects that it increased their costs by $10 million annually. That's a significant amount of money that could be used t

Transport committee  I think the volume of work is significant enough. If you look at some of the significant infrastructure projects happening in Ontario, if you look at the big build in Toronto with its transit, if you look at the Pan Am Games, for instance, coming up. Ivor Wynne Stadium is now sub

Transport committee  Yes, I can. In fact, I can table the Cardus report that was done. The Cardus report states that if the Region of Waterloo were to become subject to these labour restrictions, in fact, 28% of Ontario's population would be subject to labour monopolies. My region alone, the Region

Transport committee  Well, I think, as I had stated, that 20% of Ontario's population would be subject to labour monopolies. I can't give you the numbers off the top of my head, but 20% of Ontarians, so....