November 17, 2009

Dear Larry Miller,

     It is no secret that while a soft economy recovery is underway, Canada's businesses continue to face an uphill climb. We continue to need government to provide the necessary tools to allow us to manage our businesses to meet customers' and, in the case of critical infrastructure providers, the country's needs.
     Another private member's bill, Bill C-386, which proposes to amend the Canada Labour Code to prevent federally-regulated employers from using replacement workers during labour disruptions is on Parliament's agenda.  While the bill places the obligation upon employers to continue to provide essential services, operate facilities or produce goods "to the extent necessary to prevent an immediate and serious danger to the safety or health of the public", there are many services essential to the wellbeing of Canadians and the functioning of our economy that fall outside of this narrow definition.
      We hope that parliamentarians will not consider implementing such legislation, particularly when Canadian businesses continue to face such unprecedented pressures. A disruption of the services provided by federally-regulated employers, which include telecommunications, financial services, airlines and airport services, trucking, railways and long shoring operations, would be devastating to our businesses and the citizens who depend upon them.
     Canadian businesses – quite rightly – regard the services provided by our federally-regulated employers as essential to our ability to keep our businesses – and the nation's economy - working. Legislation which would amend the Canada Labour Code and has the potential to have such a significant impact on the functioning of Canada's economy and the wellbeing of Canadians should be defeated. Any change to the Canada Labour Code deserves extensive study and should not be undertaken lightly.
     I urge you to vote against Bill C-386.

Sincerely,