Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan’s new Bill C-58 would forbid employers in federally regulated sectors from bringing in most non-union labour during strikes or lockouts, on the grounds that the practice prolongs disputes and distracts from negotiations. (The Logic)

Talking point: About a million people work in federally regulated sectors, which include much of the supply chain industry. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce complained the bill would spoil a delicate balance by removing a reason for unions to bargain; the Canadian Federation of Independent Business said Quebec’s and British Columbia’s similar laws have led to more strikes. The Canadian Labour Congress and Unifor were two big labour groups welcoming the “anti-scab” bill, which is part of the federal Liberals’ deal with the New Democrats for support in the House of Commons. Replacement workers undermine unions’ ability to fight for workers’ fair shares of corporate profits, the CLC said.