My name is Jerry Lampert. I am president and chief executive officer of the Business Council of British Columbia. I want to thank the standing committee for the opportunity to be present here today and to present our views on Bill C-257. We appreciated the committee's offer to appear by teleconference from Vancouver, but given the importance of the legislation you are considering, we felt it was essential to be here in Ottawa.
The business council is an association representing major enterprise in British Columbia. Our members are drawn from all the major sectors that make up the provincial economy. In our 40 years, the business council has been an active voice and participant on labour and employment issues at the provincial level and the federal level.
As British Columbia has had replacement worker legislation since 1993, the business council believes it can offer the committee a unique perspective on such legislation. I would also point out that we've been active participants in the periodic review of the Canada Labour Code, including the in-depth review of part 1 conducted by the Sims task force.
Our submission has been distributed to you.
Before turning our presentation over to Doug Alley, vice-president of human resources and labour relations with the business council, let me leave you with this thought. Bill C-257 raises broad economic concerns. The industries covered by the Canada Labour Code provide services and manage infrastructure essential to the smooth functioning of the national marketplace and have a direct impact on local communities right across the country. There is much at stake in your consideration of Bill C-257.
We're here to indicate to you as best we can that we do not believe this legislation should proceed.
I want to turn it over to my colleague, Doug Alley.