In any case, we saw that management got to work and continued selling their products to the Quebec public. Actually, I should have said the nation of Quebec, but this would involve an entirely different issue.
The right to strike even applies at the federal level. The correctional officers union, for instance, agreed with the employer that all services were essential. You are looking somewhat puzzled. I note that it is a sad situation for these people, but it is important for the people of Quebec and Canada that correctional officers stay on the job. We cannot do without their services.
Since 1977, in Quebec, due to the provisions that forbid the use of strikebreakers by employers, the unions negotiated each essential service separately. With regard to telecommunications, I think that the CBC union representatives will raise the issue with their employer and propose new provisions for essential services to cover tragic events like the shooting at Dawson College.
In Quebec, we also created a mechanism called The essential services council. It was set up to deal with certain misunderstandings and conflicts. Mr. Nadeau, the bill you are presenting is exactly like the Quebec legislation. We can refer to what has been done in Quebec over the past 30 years to better understand how these provisions work and how the system is balanced and serves the public's needs.
I want to discuss figures. The figures given by the government of the nation of Quebec have always proved the value of anti-scab legislation. In 2004, for instance, 7% of the Quebec labour force was under federal jurisdiction, but this labour force accounted for 18% of the lost work time.
In fact, Mr. Nadeau, I do not want to hear about figures. In Quebec, we do not need figures: we simply need to look at what is actually happening. It is clear that long and bitter disputes that turn to violence or widespread vandalism always occur in organizations that are under federal jurisdiction. I would like you to tell us more about this fact.