Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for his comments and his question. Unlike the comment which came from across the way, he certainly brought forward some valid points. Unlike the Liberals who rise in debate on this very important legislation, obviously the member has given some thought to it.
He refers to the fact that he does not see anything specific in the bill which deals with anti-scab workers. I hate that term. It is very derogatory.
My understanding is that the bill gives the real power to the Canada Industrial Relations Board, the CIRB, to decide on the question of replacement workers. We have some concerns about that because the board will be under incredible pressure from the unions. The unions will say that replacement workers in a strike situation should not be allowed, even if it puts the corporation in an untenable position, in a position where the corporation might actually have to close its doors.
I speak not on behalf of corporations when I say that, but on behalf of the workers themselves. We only have to look at the situation which developed in Edmonton where the meat packing plant had to shut down. Ultimately who was hurt? It was the workers themselves who were out of work and who lost their jobs.
When I speak to this issue it is not only out of concern for the shareholders and the company, but for the workers themselves.