That's definitely not the case. I didn't tell you about all the comments cited in the two briefs that were submitted.
The fact that the employer has the option of hiring subcontractors before the notice to bargain collectively is given makes no sense and completely distorts the bill. We find it hard to understand the intention behind that.
When I'm at a bargaining table and the other party asks me for something, I always wonder what that party wants. Sometimes I'm intrigued. In this instance, I'm trying to understand the upside of this kind of provision, apart from the fact that employers are being given a green light to hire outside resources before the notice to bargain collectively is even given. That's the only thing I can think of.
We also wonder about the proposed implementation timeline, which is 18 months. It's hard, even very hard, to understand why we need 18 months to implement this bill. We also wonder about various situations provided for in the bill. This isn't clear, but it seems that the parties would be compelled to agree on what essential services to maintain and to provide the necessary resources to the Canadian Industrial Relations Board.
I trust both parties when they negotiate. You have to support what goes on at the bargaining table. That's where it all has to happen. There are corrections to be made. Some are minor, but others are major, particularly regarding the option for the employer to bring in replacement workers before the notice to bargain collectively has even been given. That's the perfect opportunity for the employer to plan a labour dispute or lockout and to hire workers in advance. It really makes no sense to us.