The Manitoba government's plans, including efforts to prohibit substitute workers and simplify joining a union, were delayed on Monday by the Opposition Progressive Conservatives, who stopped proceedings in the chamber.
The NDP government attempted to introduce a bill that would ban the use of substitute workers during strikes and lockouts. Another bill would eliminate the need for secret-ballot voting for workers to join a union, and instead allow unionization if a majority of workers at a location sign a union card.
“This is something that workers have been requesting for decades,” Labour Minister Malaya Marcelino said.
“This legislation will be approved.”
But one by one, members of the Tory Opposition stood up on Monday afternoon to raise complaints which allege that a politician's work is being interfered with and which halted all other proceedings.
There are several other bills now on hold as well, including a bill to recognize March 31 as Two-Spirit and Transgender Day of Visibility, a bill to change the rules governing rent increases by landlords, and a bill to make it simpler to seize criminal assets.
Tory education critic Grant Jackson complained that Premier Wab Kinew had called him a “failed political staffer.” Tory interim leader Wayne Ewasko complained that Kinew had accused him of being against transgender people.
The process continued until the legislature adjourned for the day after 5 p.m.
Some business groups have opposed the labor bills. The Manitoba Chambers of Commerce has stated that the current labor laws are fair and some of the suggested changes would unfairly shift the playing field.
Marcelino said a committee of labor and management representatives that advises the government did not reach a consensus on the ideas. She said employers should not be concerned about a ban on substitute workers.
“Quebec has had this since the 1970s. B.C. has had this since 1993. The sun will continue to rise and set the day after this legislation is put through.”
Ewasko later said the Tories were not simply delaying proceedings but raising valid concerns. He also said the NDP government could have brought forward its bills earlier.
“The NDP government had ample time to discuss bills last week,” Ewasko said.
Tory finance critic Obby Khan pointed out the NDP engaged in the same kind of delays when they were in Opposition in 2020. For several days, NDP members raised complaints and delayed the introduction of about 20 bills and the provincial budget.
The delays this year are unlikely to prevent the bills from becoming law, because the NDP has a strong majority. But the bills could be delayed if the Tories continue to raise complaints on Tuesday.
Under the legislature’s rules, bills not introduced by Tuesday may be pushed back until the fall instead of going to a final vote before the summer break.
