Canadian unions oppose changes to country’s labour code

Diplomacy / 23 September 2026 China’s Xi set to begin visit to US 23 September 2026 Geopolitics / 23 September 2026 US to build two military bases in Greenland under new deal with Denmark 23 September 2026 Crime / 23 September 2026 Mass shooting at a house in South Africa kills at least 11 23 September 2026 Oceania / 23 September 2026 Australian man accused of being Islamic State group propagandist 23 September 2026 Northeast Africa / 23 September 2026 South Sudan president dissolves transitional government ahead of elections 23 September 2026 Round-up / 23 September 2026 World in brief: September 23, 2026 23 September 2026 THE Canadian government is set to introduce legislation that changes how labour disputes are resolved in federally regulated sectors, it was reported on Wednesday.

The Building Canada Strong Act has been tabled in Canada’s House of Commons, alongside other measures aimed at fast-tracking “project approvals,” strengthening trade links and modernising ports.

But unions say this could also mean greater state intervention in collective bargaining when negotiations become protracted by including the appointment of a “special mediator” to bring about a resolution to a dispute, including “binding arbitration.”

The Canadian government argues this will help unions and employers reach agreements sooner and reduce economic disruptions and will “strengthen collective bargaining and protect the right to strike.”

But Marty Warren, the director of the United Steelworkers Union in Canada, hit back, saying: “Workers built this country, and workers will build what comes next.

“Canada cannot build a stronger economy by weakening the fundamental rights of the people who make our economy work. The right to strike is a red line.”

Mr Warren added: “Section 107 should be repealed, not rewritten to make it easier for the government to intervene in legal strikes,” as it gives “the labour minister extraordinary discretion to override workers’ fundamental right to strike without a vote or prior approval by parliament.”