Macklem Defends Bank of Canada's Use of Replacement Workers Amid Labour Dispute

Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem has defended the central bank's use of replacement workers during a strike involving security officers. The move was deemed to have contravened the Canada Labour Code by the Canada Industrial Relations Board.

Last week, the board issued a decision stating that the Bank of Canada had used contractors from Pinkerton Consulting & Investigations without following proper procedures. This is not the first time the bank has been criticized for its use of replacement workers; earlier this month, a similar decision was made regarding the bank's use of contractors from Garda Canada Security Corporation.

Macklem wrote to the president of the Canadian Labour Congress on Thursday, stating that the Bank of Canada has never refused to comply with orders from the board. He also mentioned exceptions in the rules that allow for the use of replacement workers when necessary to prevent threats to life, health or safety, or to prevent destruction or serious damage to property.

The governor believes that these exceptions were intended to address situations like this one, where acknowledged threats to safety exist.