Liberals aim to codify ministerial power to end federal strikes

According to two senior government sources, the Liberal administration intends to strengthen Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code through the Building Canada Strong Act, which will be tabled next week. The amendment would explicitly empower the minister responsible to instruct the Canada Industrial Labour Relations Board to terminate strikes and impose arbitration, a power the government already exercises but has rarely codified since 1984.

Officials argue that formalising the authority will boost private-sector confidence, especially for high-impact industries like ports and railways that affect national exports. Unions contend the move undermines bargaining rights and have already challenged the provision in Federal Court. The bill also proposes a new role for a special mediator to produce a report before the minister can act as a last resort. Jobs and Families Minister Patty Hajdu says the reforms will not limit the right to strike but will modernise dispute-resolution tools.