Mr. Chairman, Mr. Coderre, our government does not intend to proceed with Canada-wide anti-scab legislation. I would like to remind you that Quebec has had anti-scab legislation since 1977. British Columbia introduced similar legislation in 1993. Twenty-nine years elapsed between 1977 and 2006. In 29 years, only two Canadian provinces opted to introduce anti-scab legislation. Had the other provinces thought that such a law was necessary, they would have introduced it a long time ago. In 1993, Ontario attempted to introduce anti-scab legislation, it was defeated in 1995. Ontario reviewed its labour laws in 2005, and once again decided not to introduce anti-scab legislation.
Mr. Coderre, it is important to maintain a balance on this matter. The fact that the unions are massively in favour of such a law does not necessarily mean that the government should acquiesce. It is important to maintain a balance between employers and unions. It is also important to remember that while the current act, which was amended in 1999, provides for the use of substitute workers during a legal strike or lockout, an employer is never allowed to use the services of such workers with the intent of undermining the union. If union members or other employees feel that their rights have been violated, they have protection and can file a complaint with the Canada Industrial Relations Board.
That is how the system works; and I would reiterate that we do not intend to proceed with this bill.