I am torn re. Bill C-257. This is a Bloc Quebecois bill that would make it illegal for Federally regulated companies to use replacement workers while their own employees are locked out or on strike. On the one hand, I think its the right thing to do. Furthermore, Quebec and B.C. have got on fine with similar provincial laws, so a lot of the Business complaints you will hear will just be fear mongering. On the other hand, if I were Stephane Dion, letting the Liberal Party vote as it might (unwhipped), and thus enabling the passage of the Bill, would be the wrong signal to send at this point.
The Tories are already going to brand him a tree-hugger. If this bill passes they'll start calling him a Communist.
Interestingly enough, a list I found at the Canadian Labour Congress website shows that almost 20% of Tory MPs voted in favor of C-257. Here is a list of them:
Cannan Rona Kelowna-Lake Country
Cummins John Delta-Richmond East
Grewal Nina Fleetwood-Port Kells
Harris Richard Cariboo-Prince George
Mark Inky Dauphin-Swan River-Marquette
Mayes Colin Okanagan-Shuswap
Manning Fabian Avalon
Brown Gord Leeds-Grenville
Davidson Patricia Sarnia-Lambton
Devolin Barry Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock
Dykstra Rick St. Catharines
Galipeau Royal Ottawa-Orléans
Goodyear Gary Cambridge
Kramp Daryl Prince Edward-Hastings
Lemieux Pierre Glengarry-Prescott-Russell
Stanton Bruce Simcoe North
Van Kesteren Dave Chatham-Kent-Essex
Watson Jeff Essex
Petit Daniel Charlesbourg-Haute-Saint-Charles
They're baying for traitorous Tory blood at The Shotgun. I think I shall go tell them which of their own to fall upon.
I don't know how much of a different it would really make. I use to live in BC which had such law and now live in Ontario which doesn't and I would describe BC as being hindered in economic growth as many on the right say this would do, but nor do I find Ontario weak on its labour laws as some saying passing this bill wouldn't. In the case of Saskatchewan and Manitoba they both have NDP governments yet have no such law, while BC has a right of centre government who left the anti-scab law in place after defeating the NDP.
ReplyDeleteThe whole point is this is not an issue I will get too worked up on which ever way it goes. I would probably vote against it since unless something isn't working, I generally prefer to stay with the status quo, but regardless of which way Stephane Dion votes, it will not affect my vote at all.
BCL,
ReplyDeleteI am curious what you mean by the "wrong signal." I think you mean that Dion must establish "pro-business" credentials for Bay Street. Is this right?
Simon,
ReplyDeleteYeah, basically. I think you do have to do that sometimes. Although not just Bay street. Big and small business both go nutzo when faced with this kind of law (at least they did out here in Ontario).
The Tories will try and hit him hard on Green issues (as an enviro nut); they'll want to roll that in with Left Labor issues. He shouldn't make it too easy for them.
That would be good for the NDP then. They could say: Dion, typical Liberal. Talks from the left when he's not in power; becomes leader, bammo, governs from the right.
ReplyDeleteIt would help open up some space between the Liberals and the NDP.
Though, I assume Dion will play it cannily and not be in the House for the vote, which would make it harder to hang on him.
Dion will take shit either way. If he whips his people the Bloc will say he's out of step in Quebec.
ReplyDeleteTotally OT, but BCL...something to add to your inventory of celebrity muff. This time, it's Jenna's Bush.
ReplyDeleteotimo informative blog thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteDisk sexo