Finance committee  Exactly, and it's a concern, because we will have to live with those outcomes for years to come. So I take your point very seriously.

Finance committee  We see this as a solution looking for a problem. We're not unreasonable. We understand that changes, ameliorations, can be made to all legislation, and that's what the law reform commission—and the law commission after it—was set up to do. It was an independent, arm's-length body that looked at laws and said, okay, what's working, what's not working, and it would provide expertise and recommendations.

Finance committee  Okay. I simply refer you to the chart in our written submission where we talk about essential services, and everywhere except for one exception is there a right to negotiate who is essential and who is not. I urge you to look at that when you have a moment.

Finance committee  The latter had the right to strike forced upon them in 2003 by the Charest government as a way to avoid binding arbitration. It culminated in strike action by almost 1,500 Quebec government lawyers in February 2011. The situation broke the bond of trust between these lawyers and the government and jeopardized many serious criminal prosecutions.

Finance committee  Two more points. The amendments will overcomplicate the grievance process. You now have a situation where you cannot file group complaints when you're looking for retroactive remedies, so you're going to have multiple and duplicated services. Finally, the chairman of the Labour Relations Board will now have the power to review the decision of the arbitrator.

Finance committee  So this is modernization? Hardly. This bill takes labour relations back decades. From a cost analysis perspective—

Finance committee  —it is difficult to see how this scheme can save taxpayers any money. Thank you.

Finance committee  It's our only kick at the can.

Finance committee  Yes, it's hard.

Finance committee  Thank you. I want to thank the committee for this opportunity. The AJC is the exclusive bargaining agent for 2,700 federal lawyers. We're prosecutors, we're counsel at the Department of Justice, and we also provide legal services to various tribunals and agencies. Before becoming a so-called union boss, I was a drug prosecutor enforcing the government's tough on crime legislation.