Using replacement workers is a denial of the appropriate exercise of the right to strike. It is extremely unproductive.
However, I found your point very interesting, Mr. Coderre, about Canada's international commitments. What I'm hearing here this morning is an argument against the right to strike. I'm sorry, but Canada is a signatory to a number of conventions on this, and all of the international bodies that govern these issues say you can't take away or limit the right to strike on grounds of economic competitiveness. That would be disruptive and would make the whole labour relations exercise completely counterproductive.
There's a very delicate balance in terms of bargaining power, because when a replacement worker is used, it's like telling everyone who has been on strike for two or three months, or a year or two, that basically their strike is pointless and they can no longer put any pressure on the employer. That's unacceptable.