Government of Canada restoring fairness and balance in the Canadian labour policy landscape

News Release

January 28, 2016 Ottawa, Ontario Employment and Social Development Canada

The Honourable MaryAnn Mihychuk, P.C., M.P., Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, and her Parliamentary Secretary, M.P. Rodger Cuzner, along with Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities Pablo Rodriguez, today announced that legislation to repeal Bills C-377 and C-525 has been introduced. If passed, this will help restore balance in workplace relations.

In addition, both Bills were passed without the tripartite (employer, union and government) consultation process traditionally used for labour relations law reform. The Government is committed to meaningful engagement and evidence-based policy development.

Repealing Bills C-377 and C-525 is a priority for the Government of Canada and was included in the mandate letters of Minister Mihychuk and of the Honourable Judy Foote, Minister of Public Services and Procurement. This is part of the Government’s plan to ensure Canada’s labour laws best serve employees and employers.

Quotes

“Our Government recognizes that unions play an important role in protecting the rights of Canadian workers and in helping the middle class grow and prosper. That’s why we’re proud to be pursuing our commitment to help restore a fair and balanced approach to labour relations in Canada by repealing Bills C-377 and C-525.”

-The Honourable MaryAnn Mihychuk, P.C., M.P., Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour

“Bill C-377 and Bill C-525 have long been seen as solutions to problems that do not exist. Our Government is taking action to repeal these Bills and support the work of unions across Canada.

- Parliamentary Secretary, M.P. Rodger Cuzner

Quick Facts

Bill C-377 came into force on December 30, 2015. However, given the Government’s commitment to repeal the Bill, the Minister of National Revenue waived Bill C-377 reporting requirements for 2016 fiscal periods.
Section 110 of the Canada Labour Code requires labour and employers’ organizations to provide financial statements to their members upon request and free of charge. Many provincial labour statutes contain similar accountability measures.

Bill C-377, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (requirements for labour organizations), requires labour organizations to file detailed financial and other information with the Minister of National Revenue, which would then be made publicly available.
Bill C-525, the Employees’ Voting Rights Act, modified union certification and decertification provisions in three federal labour relations statutes by switching to a mandatory representation vote system and changing the thresholds required to trigger a vote.

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