Minister, I asked you how you were going to promote those fundamental rights.
We heard you loud and clear, especially during the port dispute in Montreal. You talked about economic destruction. As far as we are concerned, as far as workers are concerned, this is serious. Rail and port employers are not negotiating, they are turning up the pressure, they are moving ahead of time to reduce the impact on the supply chain, and they are locking out workers. Then they are waiting for the government to step in.
Instead of supporting the free bargaining process and giving the parties the opportunity to reach an agreement, the government is using a section in the Canada Labour Code to impose measures. Of course, unions are going to legally challenge a decision that, for all intents and purposes, restricts the right to bargain. In the minds of many affected workers, bargaining means nothing anymore. You know full well that services that advance the country's economic interests are not considered essential services. Only services that, if disrupted, would jeopardize public health or safety are considered essential services.
There will be a meeting, but if this is indicative of what you will do in the future, it is worrisome. A dispute is happening right now, and we hope you will do everything you can to protect labour rights.
How do you see labour relations going forward, keeping in mind those fundamental rights?