moved for leave to introduce Bill C-238, an act to amend the Canada Post Corporation Act (mail contractors).
Mr. Speaker, the bill deals with the rural route mail couriers, the people who deliver our mail in the country. Our point is these are not independent contractors as such, they are wholly dependent on Canada post for all they do. Therefore, the relationship is more that of an employer and an employee and not an independent contractor.
However, the Canada Post Corporation Act specifically bars them from bargaining collectively. They are not allowed to organize into a union or take part in free collective bargaining. We think this is wrong. They are the only group of workers in the country who are specifically barred from organizing a union.
The bill would simply eradicate one clause in the Canada Post Corporation Act and allow them to bargain collectively.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)