New Democrat Leader Jagmeet Singh plans to “force” Justin Trudeau’s government to pass anti-scab legislation before the end of 2023.
The politician was on Saturday at Parc du Pélican, in the Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie borough, for a sugar shack-themed afternoon organized by the Masson Village organization. He was accompanied by local elected official and only New Democrat MP in Quebec, Alexandre Boulerice. In interview with The dutyMr. Singh reiterated the importance he places on an anti-scab bill for federally regulated industries.
“In our agreement, we forced the government to pass a law by the end of the year,” he recalls, referring to the agreement signed between the New Democratic Party (NDP) and the Liberals. a little over a year ago and which includes 27 commitments. So far, the majority of these commitments have been at least partially fulfilled.
“We forced the government to speed up the process, they began consultations on how to implement this bill at the federal level,” he says between two bites of maple taffy. The consultations ended on January 31. Labor Minister Seamus O’Regan has meanwhile promised to table a bill by the end of the year.
” In the past, [les libéraux] talked a lot, but never acted. We have been asking for this bill for decades, so we will remain vigilant to force the government to implement it, ”said Mr. Singh.
The provinces, including Quebec, have laws prohibiting scabs, but such legislation does not exist for institutions under federal jurisdiction. “It’s a way to empower workers,” says Singh. If they decide to strike, their power is really reduced if their employer hires replacement workers. »
In the fall of 2022, MP Alexandre Boulerice tabled a bill to ban scabs. The government did not respond.
Attacks on the Bloc Québécois and the Conservatives
The New Democrat leader took advantage of his afternoon to do a little walkabout while the tunes of traditional Quebec music resounded in the speakers. Many attendees of the event approached Mr Singh to ask for a photo or autograph, including several children and teenagers.
He also delivered a short speech, in which he reiterated what has been his leitmotif over the past week: the NDP’s contribution to the last federal budget. “All the things in this budget that help people out are thanks to the New Democrats,” he said in an interview with The dutythrowing an arrow at opposing parties as it passes.
“The Conservatives and the Bloc, they’re crying, they’re making noise, but they haven’t done anything to help people. »