Thank you, Mr. Chair. I want to thank our guests for accepting our invitation.
I simply want to make a comment on Mr. Nicholls' remarks on workers' ability to judge the merits of the decision.
When it's said that they made the decision to strike because they didn't understand what the vote implied, I think that's quite contemptuous, particularly since, in that situation, we're talking about Aboriginal people. I've worked with Aboriginal people and they are people concerned about being able to communicate among themselves and to understand situations clearly. I've even seen them interrupt meetings that I've attended in order to hold group meetings among themselves so that they could be sure they had understood everything. So these are people who are concerned about clearly understanding things before making a decision.
I use that example to say that you can't rely on an argument such as yours to establish the validity of Bill C-257.
I very much like the viewpoint of Mr. Turnbull, who urges us to examine what's really essential. I don't think everything can be essential, and I think you'll agree with me on that. Otherwise, if Messrs. Finn and Turnbull, for example, told us that everything must be essential, all that would then remain for you to do would be to seek the abolition of the right to strike. But I don't think that's what you are arguing for today. So some things are not essential.
Based on experience observed in Quebec, there are key areas, including health, where there is a right to strike, but also essential services. However, those services are based on a relationship of understanding, first of all, as to what must be essential or not, and when the parties do not agree, a third party decides the matter.
I want to get a clear understanding because we'll have to take a position on this question. You two have argued to this effect, and you may intervene, as well as others. What should we favour between the two? Is this an approach whereby we agree on essential services with the union, or the right to replacement workers?