Labour

NATIONAL POST
BUSINESS, Page: E3

Back-to-work law proposed for CN strike
Tories quickly introduce legislation after engineers walk off the job
Scott Deveau, Canwest News Service; Financial Post

The federal government served notice Monday it won't tolerate anything derailing Canada's economic recovery, swiftly introducing back-to-work legislation for 1,700 locomotive engineers at Canadian National Railway Co. less than three days after their strike began.

Ms. Chris Charlton (Hamilton Mountain, NDP)
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-477, An Act respecting the harmonization of holidays.

She said: Mr. Speaker, it is my great pleasure today to introduce a bill respecting the harmonization of holidays. This enactment would entitle employees under federal jurisdiction to all the general holidays observed in the province in which they work.

I know that I only have 30 seconds to explain the intent of the bill, so let me try to put it as succinctly as possible by way of an example.

September 28th, 2009 2nd Session, 40th Parliament:

Ms. Chris Charlton (Hamilton Mountain, NDP):

Mr. Speaker, workers at the U.S. Steel plant in Nanticoke are currently in a labour dispute, but at the same plant there were layoffs before that dispute was ever started. ROEs clearly show that these layoffs predate the dispute and yet EI claims are being held up for an average of six to eight weeks. This cannot be news to the Minister of Human Resources. The Nanticoke plant is in her own riding and it is her constituents who are losing their homes.

By Chris Charlton, Member of Parliament

As a huge fan of Colwyn Beynon's columns in this newspaper, and the work of the Hamilton Historical Board and the Hamilton Mountain Heritage Society in general, I thought my summer column might be a good time to add a historical note to a current event.

Without a doubt, the biggest news story this spring was the possibility that an NHL team might come to Hamilton. Whether it merited such dominance at a time when thousands of workers are losing their jobs and food banks are faced with record demand is a matter for editorial debate.

Ms. Chris Charlton (Hamilton Mountain, NDP):

Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to participate in the debate on this last supply day of the session. I can imagine viewers at home asking themselves “what the heck is a supply day and what does it have to do with me?”, so I thought I would begin by trying to take a stab at answering both questions.

Dear friends,

During the spring session of parliament, I introduced an important piece of legislation that, if passed, would help make EI fair for new moms and others on special benefits.

Please consider downloading the petition below. You can have your friends and family sign it, mail it to me postage-free in Ottawa, and I will introduce it in the House of Commons.

With your help, we can make EI fair for everyone.

Thank you,
Chris

PS - Click here to find out more about the issue

Ms. Chris Charlton (Hamilton Mountain, NDP):

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to present a petition signed by hundreds of Canadians from right across this country in opposition to the Canada-Colombia free trade agreement.

The petitioners point out that Colombia has one of the worst human rights records in the western hemisphere, with dozens of labour activists and human rights advocates killed each year. They are outraged by the kill-a-worker-pay-a-fine provisions, which make a mockery of human rights.

Ms. Chris Charlton (Hamilton Mountain, NDP):

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to table another petition that has been circulated by John Grimshaw, business manager of IBEW Local 105 in my hometown of Hamilton.

Ms. Chris Charlton (Hamilton Mountain, NDP):

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise to table two petitions today signed by hundreds of people from all over southern Ontario and Quebec urging Parliament to immediately pass my bill, Bill C-378, to allow hard-working families to access their maternity, parental, sickness and compassionate care benefits without worrying that if they lose their jobs in the meantime, they will also lose their EI.

Ms. Chris Charlton (Hamilton Mountain, NDP):

Mr. Speaker, Canadians expect their government to be upfront with them, especially in the midst of a recession that is hurting so many. Yesterday's performance by the Prime Minister and his own personal Phil Donahue had all the substance of a 30-second spot for ShamWows.

Will the Prime Minister just do what he owes Canadians and explain why the stimulus he promised to accelerate is not reaching the very people and communities who so desperately need it?