Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Legal and Constitutional Affairs

Issue 24, Minutes of Proceedings - December 10, 2014

OTTAWA, Wednesday, December 10, 2014
(55)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs met at 4:17 p.m. this day, in room 257, East Block, the chair, the Honourable Bob Runciman, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Baker, P.C., Batters, Boisvenu, Dagenais, Fraser, Frum, McInnis, McIntyre, Munson, Plett, Runciman and Tannas (12).

Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Bellemare (1).

In attendance: Julian Walker and Robin MacKay, analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament.

Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, October 28, 2014, the committee began its study of Bill C-525, An Act to amend the Canada Labour Code, the Parliamentary Employment and Staff Relations Act and the Public Service Labour Relations Act (certification and revocation — bargaining agent).

WITNESSES:

Blaine Calkins, Member of Parliament for Wetaskiwin, sponsor of the bill.

Federally Regulated Employers - Transportation and Communications:

John P. Farrell, Executive Director.

Unifor:

Roland Kiehne, Director of Membership Mobilization and Political Action (by video conference).

Anthony Dale, Legal Counsel (by video conference).

Air Line Pilots Association, International:

Captain Dan Adamus, President, Canada Board.

Canadian Union of Public Employees:

Paul Moist, National President.

Christian Labour Association of Canada:

Brendan Kooy, Regional Director for Eastern Ontario.

Canada Industrial Relations Board:

Elizabeth MacPherson, Chairperson (by video conference).

The chair made an opening statement.

Mr. Calkins made a statement and answered questions.

At 5:01 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 5:06 p.m., the committee resumed.

Mr. Farrell, Mr. Dale, Mr. Adamus, Mr. Moist and Mr. Kooy each made a statement and answered questions.

At 5:25 p.m., the Honourable Senator Tannas replaced the Honourable Senator Plett as a member of the committee.

At 6:05 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 6:09 p.m., the committee resumed.

Ms. MacPherson made a statement and answered questions.

At 6:38 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Shaila Anwar

Clerk of the Committee