Mr. Speaker, I wish to support the motion tabled by the hon. member for Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, especially where it concerns the CLRB, the Canada Labour Relations Board.
At one time I wrote to the minister responsible for this board about the problems facing this body, the lack of leadership shown by the chairman and the lack of representative members on the board. That is why I support this motion, which asks the minister to appoint board members from lists provided by management and labour.
In Quebec we do not have a labour relations board. We have an office of the labour commissioner-general. So we have one person who hands down a decision. However, we do have grievance adjudicators, who are appointed from lists submitted by employers and the unions.
I think this would also be a way to limit the use of patronage appointments, thus giving the board far more credibility with labour and management.
I would also like to point out that unfortunately, this bill contains no provisions for federally regulated businesses concerning the preventive withdrawal of pregnant women, especially the many pregnant women in the federal public service. We are not discussing part II of the Canada Labour Code, but amendments to part I.
Nevertheless, I want to emphasize the need for passing legislation as soon as possible concerning the preventive withdrawal of women. I know that a petition to that effect is being circulated throughout Quebec.
It will soon be March 8, which is International Women's Day. As you know, women are becoming increasingly aware of this fundamental right, which all women have in Quebec in provincially regulated businesses. I fail to see how a woman working for the provincial government can have this right while a woman in the same building who works for the federal public service does not. I will continue to insist on this in the weeks to come.
I also support other demands put forward by my colleagues from Mercier and Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, especially the need for including provisions dealing with technological change in the Canada Labour Code.
There is some legislation in Quebec that contains very clear provisions on technological change, but these should also be included at the federal level. I know that many unions have been able to negotiate very clear cut and advanced provisions on technological change. However, not all unions are in a position to negotiate such provisions, hence the need for providing specific provisions on technological change in the Canada Labour Code.
Once again, I wish to commend the hon. member for Hochelaga-Maisonneuve on the fantastic job he has done on the subject as the official opposition's labour critic. Congratulations.