Sudbury MPP fights for anti-replacement worker legislation
The New Democrats have long fought for legislation that would ban companies from hiring temporary workers to fill the gaps while their employees are on strike.
Nickel Belt MPP France Gélinas and Jamie West were among those in attendance Wednesday.
The NDP argues that replacement workers prolong strikes and delay negotiations, hurting everyone involved. Gélinas said Sudburians will likely remember the USW Local 6500 strike than ended in 2010.
“One of the reasons why the strike went on for so long is because of scab,” she said.
Gélinas said that, while strikes and lockouts don’t happen very often, the ripple effect is felt long after the negotiations are settled.
She said replacement workers are often improperly trained or out of a job once those on the picket lines return to work.
“Companies tend to go after vulnerable people. People who need money,” she said.
“In southern Ontario, you’ll often see people who don’t speak English and French. They’re new to the community, they offer them a ton of money to cross the line. But the minute the strike is over, they toss them to the curb.”
This is the 16th time the New Democrats have tried to pass the legislation.
Political science professor David Tabachnick said Opposition bills get passed.
He said the NDP’s motive is likely to make a point to the Progressive Conservatives.
“They’re basically calling the Progressive Conservatives’ bluff to some degree, by saying do you really support the blue collar workers?” Tabachnick said.
“If you do, then you should obviously support this legislation, which clearly they do not.”
CTV News reached out to the Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training, and Skills development. In a statement, a spokesperson said:
“Ontario has one of the best track records in the country for resolving labour disputes without disruption. Our ministry's responsibility is to stay neutral and encourage parties to remain at the table, where 98 per cent of deals are reached.”
The legislature is expected to vote on the NDP’s plan sometime after Easter.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Friday that Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
More than half the Canadians once detained in Syrian camps for suspected ISIS family members have returned home
A total of 29 Canadians have been freed from detention camps in northeast Syria and brought back to Canada since human rights advocates began lobbying for their release years ago.
Rare severe solar storm Friday could bring spectacular aurora light show across Canada
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Canada abstains from Palestinian UN membership vote but supports two-state solution
Canada was one of 25 countries that abstained from a United Nations vote on Palestinian membership that passed with overwhelming support on Friday.
Amish youth experience a rite of passage called Rumspringa. It’s not what you might think
The idea of “Rumspringa” has a specific spot in the American imagination. A rite of passage for young people in some Amish communities, Rumspringa is seen by most outsiders as a wild time away from strict Amish rules, when teenagers can experiment with the modern vices of the world.