Air Canada Workers Could Face Back-to-Work Legislation
Air Canada’s striking front-line workers are upset they could be forced back to work by legislation proposed by Labour Minister Lisa Raitt this week.
Raitt told the House of Commons she intends to table back-to-work legislation but it would not be expected to pass this week.
The strike began Tuesday largely over defined benefit pensions which the company says it cannot afford down the road. Workers say they have sacrificed through lean times and shouldn’t be asked to give up more when the company is doing better.
The NDP are opposed to back-to-work legislation while the government says it is necessary to protect the economy.
Canada to Stay in Libya
MPs voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to extend Canada’s mission in Libya for 3 1/2 months, with only Green MP Elizabeth May voting against the motion.
“We have seen what is now referred to as mission creep, an extension of the responsibility to protect within Libya to a goal of regime change,” said May in a speech in the House of Commons prior to the vote.
Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird told Parliament that Canada was there to protect vulnerable civilians under attack by forces loyal to Libyan President Muammar al-Gaddafi.
“We believe the military mission is incredibly important but so too is adding humanitarian support, additional diplomatic measures, and as has been suggested by others in the House, support for good governance from the transitional council.”
Earlier that day Baird announced Canada would be officially recognizing the National Transitional Council of Libya, the body representing anti-Gaddafi forces, as the legitimate representative of the Libyan people.
“We will be working closely with the transitional council and ensuring that our men and women in the armed forces have the tools they need to do the job,” he said.
Also on Tuesday, International Cooperation Minister Beverley Oda announced an additional $2 million in aid to Libya for a total of $10.6 million.
NDP Wants Asbestos Listed
The New Democratic Party is calling on the government to follow through on Health Canada’s advice and have chrysotile asbestos listed as a hazardous substance under the United Nations Rotterdam Convention.
The convention is a multilateral treaty that outlines shared responsibilities in the trade of hazardous materials.
“Conservatives must stop trying to hide the health effects of this toxic material,” said NDP Natural Resources critic Romeo Saganash.
Canada is a world leader in asbestos production and principal defender of the carcinogenic substance.
Crime Bill Fast-Tracked
A bill to fix procedural issues with mega trials will be fast-tracked through Parliament with NDP support.
“We want justice to be carried out in a timely way even when a trial is very complex and wide-ranging. The changes we are proposing today will keep dangerous criminals behind bars and make our streets and communities safer,” said Minister of Justice Rob Nicholson in announcing the bill Monday.
The government’s first piece of legislation, the bill will accelerate mega trials like those involving organized crime groups or terrorist organizations and could become law by the time the House of Commons rises for its summer break.
NDP Justice critic Joe Comartin said the issue has been studied thoroughly already. “I want this thing to have royal ascent this year—before the summer starts,” he told reporters.
The government will seek unanimous consent from Parliament to have it sent directly to the Senate for final approval without lengthy debate in Parliament or examination in committee.
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