Liberal Government Tables Bill C-39, Sparking Debate Over Right to Strike
The Liberal government has introduced Bill C-39, the Building Canada Strong Act, which amends the Canada Labour Code to streamline project approvals and introduce new measures for resolving labour disputes. While the government argues the bill provides necessary guardrails and transparency, union leaders criticize it as an attack on workers' rights that formalizes government intervention in strikes.
The Liberal government, led by Prime Minister Mark Carney, has tabled Bill C-39, officially titled the Building Canada Strong Act. The legislation proposes significant amendments to the Canada Labour Code, aiming to speed up major project approvals and alter how federal labour disputes are resolved.
A central component of the bill is the creation of a new "special mediator" role. This mediator would work with disputing parties for 21 days during impasses and publish a report detailing their positions. Additionally, the bill modifies Section 107 of the Labour Code, granting the federal minister the power to end a strike or lockout if it is deemed to adversely affect the "national interest." This decision would require consideration of the special mediator's report.
Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu stated that the reforms aim to increase transparency and do not violate the constitutional right to strike. She noted that 95% of labour negotiations currently end without a strike. The government also plans to hire 100 new health and safety officers and add 26 workers to the Canada Industrial Relations Board to clear existing backlogs.
However, the bill has faced sharp criticism from union leaders. Bea Bruske of the Canadian Labour Congress and Mark Hancock of CUPE have argued that the legislation attacks workers' rights and gives the government unlimited discretion to break strikes. Critics point out that Section 107 was used by the federal government 10 times between 2023 and 2025 to end strikes in sectors including ports, railways, airlines, and postal services. They argue that while the government claims no additional powers are gained, the bill effectively enshrines and formalizes the power to intervene in disputes.
Conversely, business groups such as the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and the Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses have welcomed the legislation. They claim it provides greater certainty and essential tools to resolve supply chain disruptions that impact the economy. Unions are currently considering legal challenges and judicial reviews against the proposed changes.