Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Legal and Constitutional Affairs
Issue 24, Minutes of Proceedings - December 11, 2014
OTTAWA, Thursday, December 11, 2014
(56)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs met at 10:31 a.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, Bellemare, Boisvenu, Dagenais, Fraser, Frum, McInnis, Moore, Runciman and Tannas (11).
In attendance: Julian Walker, analyst, 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 continued 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:
Canadian LabourWatch Association:
John Mortimer, President.
Public Service Alliance of Canada:
Chris Aylward, National Executive Vice-President, Executive Office;
Shannon Blatt, Legal Officer.
Canadian Labour Congress:
Chris Roberts, Director, Social and Economic Policy Department.
As individuals:
Sara Slinn, Associate Professor, Osgoode Hall Law School (by video conference);
Larry Seiferling, Lawyer, McDougall Gauley LLP.
Employment and Social Development Canada, Labour Program:
Charles Philippe Rochon, Deputy Director, Strategic Policy and Legislative Reform.
The chair made an opening statement.
Mr. Mortimer, Mr. Aylward and Mr. Roberts each made a statement and, together with Ms. Blatt, answered questions.
At 11:30 a.m., the committee suspended.
At 11:36 a.m., the committee resumed.
Ms. Slinn, Mr Seiferling and Mr. Rochon each made a statement and answered questions.
At 12:30 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 12:39 p.m., the committee resumed.
It was agreed that the committee proceed with clause by clause consideration 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), on division.
WITNESSES:
Public Service Labour Relations and Employment Board:
Sylvie Guilbert, Executive Director and General Counsel;
Virginia Adamson, Senior Legal Counsel.
Employment and Social Development Canada, Labour Program:
Charles Philippe Rochon, Deputy Director, Strategic Policy and Legislative Reform.
The officials were called to the table and from time to time answered questions.
It was agreed that the title stand postponed.
It was agreed that clause 1, which contains the short title, stand postponed.
The chair asked whether clause 2 shall carry.
The Honourable Senator Bellemare moved:
That Bill C-525 be amended in clause 2, on page 2, by adding after line 6 the following:
''(3) The secret ballot representation vote shall be taken within five working days after the order made under subsection (2), unless the Board orders otherwise.''
After debate, the question being put on the motion in amendment, it was negatived, by a show of hands.
It was agreed that clause 2 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 3 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 4 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 5 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 6 carry, on division.
The chair asked whether clause 7 shall carry.
The Honourable Senator Bellemare moved:
That Bill C-525 be amended on page 5, by adding after the heading ''PUBLIC SERVICE LABOUR RELATIONS ACT'' and before line 13 the following:
''8.1. Paragraph 39(d) of the Public Service Labour Relations Act is replaced by the following:
(d) the authority vested in a council of employee organizations that is to be considered the appropriate authority within the meaning of paragraph 64(1.1)(c);''.
After debate, it was agreed that the committee suspend clause by clause consideration of the bill.
It was agreed that the committee resume clause by clause consideration of Bill C-525 at its next meeting on Friday, December 12, 2014.
At 1:15 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Shaila Anwar
Clerk of the Committee