Bank of Canada Strike Tests Labour Laws Amid Controversial Liberal Bill
NDP leader Avi Lewis is accusing the federal government of breaking labour laws in its handling of a strike by security officers at the Bank of Canada. The strike, now in its 93rd day, has seen replacement workers brought in to maintain security, despite a law passed in 2024 banning federally regulated workplaces from using replacements during strikes.
The Canada Labour Code prohibits employers from bringing in outside workers during a strike unless there is a threat to life or health, property damage, or an essential service disruption. However, Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem has claimed that exceptions allowed for the use of replacement workers in this case.
NDP leader Avi Lewis and Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) National Executive Vice-President Alex Silas joined striking security guards on the picket line outside the Bank of Canada, where a giant inflatable rat wearing a necklace with Macklem's face was also seen. The union is demanding that the Crown corporation return to the bargaining table and remove its concessions.
The proposed Building Canada Strong Act, tabled by the Liberal government earlier this week, would introduce new restrictions on the minister's power to end work stoppages in federally regulated industries. Labour leaders have denounced the move as a direct attack on workers' right to strike.