Unions demand repeal of Section 107 as Bill C-39 faces harsh criticism
Union leaders urged the government to scrap Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code during committee hearings on Bill C-39, which expands ministerial powers over strikes.
Union representatives testified before a House of Commons committee, demanding that Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code be repealed, warning that government involvement undermines genuine collective bargaining. Bill C-39, which builds on Bill C-5 to speed approvals for major projects, also amends labour law by granting the labour minister limited “guardrails” to intervene in lockouts and strikes and by creating “regions of national interest” that permit construction before full impact assessments.
Critics, including leaders of CUPE, the Air Line Pilots Association, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, and the Canadian Labour Congress, argue the provisions will encourage bad-faith bargaining and concentrate excessive power in a single minister. Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu defended the changes, saying the guardrails and a special mediator report will increase transparency and protect the right to strike. The legislation cleared the House of Commons with Conservative backing, while the Senate committee has called for more time to study the bill before detailed clause review, set to begin by mid-November.
Why it matters
The decision will determine the balance between government intervention and workers' right to strike in Canada’s major infrastructure projects.
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