CUPE National President Mark Hancock appeared before the Senate’s special committee on Bill C-39 Monday, warning the legislation threatens workers’ constitutional rights.
“Bill C-39 is a dangerous attack on Canadians’ constitutional rights,” said Hancock. “The Senate has an opportunity, and the responsibility, to stop it.”
Hancock urged senators to reject provisions that would expand government interference in collective bargaining, and give employers more power to avoid negotiating a fair agreement.
“Our rights are not an obstacle to Canada’s economic success. They are a vital part of it,” said Hancock. “Parliament cannot oblige the government’s unfounded appeal for unprecedented new powers to end lawful job action.”
As part of its effort to ram Bill C-39 through Parliament without proper scrutiny, the Carney government established a special Senate committee to fast-track the bill, allowing the Senate to study it concurrently with the House of Commons rather than following the usual legislative process.
You can read CUPE’s full submission to Parliament here.
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