Let me begin, first of all, with.... Again, this is perhaps one of the most important pieces of legislation affecting collective bargaining in unionized labour within the private sector in Canadian history. The banning of replacement workers is something that union leadership in this country have been asking for since before Canada became a country.
While many of the points that have been brought forward on other matters—issues of the day and larger issues of affordability—are very important to workers, I can tell you that there are an awful lot of them who would resent using this place as a platform for partisan politics rather than talking about the matter at hand. This is a moment for workers. Allow them the moment and the respect and dignity that they are due by taking this legislation seriously and talking about this legislation.
That is what I would say first and foremost. This is that important to them, and they have sat here and told you that. The leadership of unions in this country who have appeared before you and given testimony on the importance of this piece of legislation, on the focus on this piece of legislation, are doing so because their memberships have told them that, too. Over the course of 150-plus years, this is a moment. I would implore you to give them that dignity, to dig into this legislation.
I know that we often use these committees to talk about other things, but I would tell you that this is so important to unions and union membership in this country. Whether you like it or not, please focus on this. This is that important.