Thanks, Mr. Chair.
While I think Mr. Blaikie's amendment likely goes too far, I actually have serious concerns with the exclusions as they exist, for the simple reason that in all the evidence we heard, we heard repeatedly that these exclusions as they relate to workplace safety specifically are major issues that unions are not going to be able to put on the table when they collectively bargain.
We heard management come and give testimony, and I specifically asked what things other police associations have excluded from their collective agreements through legislation. We were told there would be a chart provided to us to allow us to make that determination. I have not received that chart to date. I still don't have an answer to my very basic question as to why we can't have these exclusions that apply to workplace safety issues so that pay and benefits and workplace safety would all be on the table.
When management is answering the concerns of Ms. Damoff, I would appreciate their answering both why we have not received that chart and why including workplace safety specifically on the table would be a problem for operational efficiency.
As a final point, keep in mind that we have factors, including the fiscal constraints on government and operational efficiency, that an arbitrator is already going to consider, and these factors already weigh in favour of government at the end of the day. Keeping that in mind, again, why is workplace safety an issue at the bargaining table?