Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Clause 9 seems to have needed a lot of amendments. We will have to devote a lot of work to them.
Amendment NDP-2 reflects the concerns that several witnesses expressed regarding the use of subcontractors in the event of a labour dispute, because it is difficult to ascertain whether the use of subcontractors is improper or excessive or is intended to defeat the pressure brought by unions and members of the bargaining unit.
Obviously, hiring subcontractors before a notice to bargain is issued creates a somewhat long timeline, and this puts significant financial pressure on the employer, which has to pay those people for a period of time. However, some unions pointed out that an employer whose position and financial resources are strong enough could hire subcontractors in advance. They could then do the work of the members of the bargaining unit involved in the labour dispute, strike or lockout, if extensive checking is not done.
We are proposing this amendment to address the unions' concern, so that subcontractors could not continue to do their work and their activities during the labour dispute.
That is the spirit behind amendment NDP‑2.