Do Canada’s labor laws need work?
A new global survey finds flaws with Canada’s labor legislation
OTTAWA—Canada isn’t protecting workers’ rights, according to a new survey from the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC).
The ITUC represents 175 million workers in 151 countries and territories.
Its report, which looks at trade union rights legislation in 140 countries, says Canada has some work to do.
Although federal labor laws give workers the right to join and form trade unions, replacement labor can still be used in industries governed by the Canada Labor Code.
There are also problems with provincial laws, where some categories of workers have limited freedom of association, it says.
The survey points to legislation widening the definition of essential services in New Brunswick, British Columbia and Prince Edward Island. Meanwhile, in Alberta, Ontario and New Brunswick, farm workers are deprived of the right to organize.
There’s also a lack of provisions against the use of replacement workers, the survey said, pointing to the Steelworkers strikes in Brantford, Sudbury and Port Colborne, Ont.
As well, the ITUC cited “anti-union strategies” in Quebec, where Wal-Mart closed down a store in Jonquière several months after the United Food and Commercial Workers had been certified to represent the workers.
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Do Canada’s labor laws need work?
