Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Just to make a quick response to what Ms. Davies had to say in terms of replacement workers not prolonging strikes, we've heard all kinds of reports going back and forth from witnesses before this committee citing studies that say the replacement worker legislation does not diminish the length of strikes. So it's kind of frustrating for me to hear members opposite contradicting evidence provided by witnesses, and I think at one point we should try to dispel those myths once and for all.
I think it's important for the members of this committee, especially the new members, to recognize that right now the federal government has the lowest work stoppage rate in the country, lower than any province. So when Mr. Law asks what is the problem we are trying to fix, it's a very good question. Because if we already have the lowest work stoppage rate in the country, why are we trying to mess with success? Things are obviously working very well, and to interfere in the process, I think we've heard many times now, would have dire consequences.
It's also been mentioned by one of my colleagues across the way that B.C. is booming in spite of the replacement worker legislation that was adopted in 1992. I would invite Mr. Silva to consider the fact that in 1992 the economy was not booming. I mean, it might be booming now, and it has been for a couple of years, but that was certainly not the case throughout the last 15 years. There have been many times where B.C. was not the lead economy in the country, and it's been in spite of the fact that this legislation is present that we've had some gains.
Perhaps you'll recall from a few days ago that the representative from the B.C. business council said B.C. is still losing businesses, in its current climate, as a result of this legislation.
I also want to note, for the benefit of all members, that this legislation has been rejected nine times. Nine times it's come before a committee just like this, with very smart individuals sitting around the table, with expert witnesses giving testimony, and nine times it's been rejected.
I don't often give Liberals compliments, but in this instance, Liberals rejected this legislation nine times, and I want to give them credit where credit is due.