moved for leave to introduce Bill C-404, an act to amend the Canada Post Act (mail contractors).
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased today to introduce an amendment to the Canada Post Act, which would enable all the little rural mail contractors to be exempted from section 13.5 of the Canada Post Act in order to have the ability to negotiate under the Canada Labour Code.
It is unacceptable that after 20 years of existence, Canada Post, which now has earnings in the millions and pays out some very substantial dividends to the government, would have a legislative provision allowing it to snub the demands of some 6,000 workers in Canada, people who in many cases are earning less than minimum wage.
This is unjust, when their employer is likely going to provide its sole shareholder, the federal government, with $200 million in dividends this year.
The bill is being introduced on behalf of these workers.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)