Finance committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair. On October 22, the Conservative government introduced the second budget implementation act from the 2013 budget speech, Bill C-4. Among several other provisions in the act that have nothing to do with the budget, we find comprehensive changes to the labou

Human Resources committee  Hang on. The translation is not coming.

Human Resources committee  I think my colleagues at the end of the table will speak candidly to this reality. We have had what I think is the most robust tripartite system in the federal jurisdiction. The code as it currently stands came about because of the collaboration that FETCO and the CLC and the gov

Human Resources committee  I guess at this point, given these new provisions that are being added to the code, our observation is that clearly these changes have been made to ensure that the inspectorate will not be utilized as frequently to deal with situations in which a right to refuse has been invoked

Human Resources committee  Yes.

Human Resources committee  Dangerous.

Human Resources committee  In the interests of time, I will conclude. In summary, the changes contained in Bill C-4 serve to: water down protection for workers from dangerous work by redefining "dangerous work" to the most narrow definition possible; render less effective the legislative measures to deal

Human Resources committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair. On behalf of the Canadian Labour Congress and its 3.3 million members, I want to thank you for providing this opportunity for us to summarize the impact of Bill C-4, the provisions that make changes to the occupational health and safety regime for workers u

International Trade committee  Yes, to be fair, there is constant dialogue between the trade union movement and the Colombian government. Steps are taken by the government to try to help prevent and stop the violence. For many of our colleagues who are threatened or whose lives are in danger, quite often the g

International Trade committee  I think the Colombian government has a long way to go. I think keeping the pressure on them will only ensure that they meet and comply with their responsibilities. I just want to say for the record that we're not here asking for the isolation of Colombia. We're here asking that

International Trade committee  It depends upon what day you ask me that question. The fact that we are having this discussion in this context here is a positive thing. We just need to ensure, when we do produce a report next year, that there is good collaboration as to how we can make that report meaningful so

International Trade committee  I think it would be very good for the department to consult with those of us who have an interest in what the baseline is going to be. Given that there's no report for this committee to really evaluate, if there's going to be a report next year, I think it would be critical that

International Trade committee  The Colombian government is also required to submit a report in their legislative structure about the human rights situation. We are not aware the Colombian government has moved to ensure that any such report has been tabled in their legislature.

International Trade committee  —for the benefit of the workers in that country. The reality is that I know that unless Canada keeps the pressure on, it will not come about because this country, I think, is very sophisticated and, more importantly, has some institutions that are deeply rooted in their society

International Trade committee  Contrary to what may be believed on this committee, and on your side of the aisle, we actually don't oppose trade. The congress has never opposed trade. We've always been concerned about the nature of free trade agreements and the priority given in those agreements to the commerc