Patty Hajdu Proposes Special Mediator for Canada Labour Code

Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu announced proposed changes to the Canada Labour Code as part of economic legislation tabled on Monday. The proposal introduces a special mediator tasked with increasing transparency in collective bargaining within federally regulated sectors.

This mediator would document the arguments of both employers and unions and publish a report identifying specific sticking points before negotiations break down. Hajdu stated that these public reports would discourage parties from bargaining in bad faith or waiting for government intervention, which she believes shifts the responsibility for reaching agreements back to the negotiating parties.

While the government emphasizes the benefits of transparency, labour leaders have opposed other provisions within the bill. These critics argue that certain elements of the legislation could compromise the rights of workers to strike.