Mr. Speaker, my colleague asked an excellent question.
The Minister of Labour's decision to introduce back-to-work legislation for Canadian Pacific employees was unwarranted, hasty and irresponsible. Furthermore, she is basically putting off finding a solution to the real problems.
We have always believed and maintained that the objective should have been a negotiated solution and not back-to-work legislation. The parties should have had the opportunity to continue their talks. I do not understand why threats to bring in special legislation were made when not even 24 hours had passed since the strike began and the workers were exercising a right recognized by the charter, the international community and the Supreme Court of Canada.
Putting off problems until tomorrow, as our Conservative friends are wont to do, will not result in good labour relations and ensure that people are able to work together and move forward.