Bank of Canada Accused of Defying Federal Labor Ban on Replacement Workers
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NDP leader claims the central bank's use of contractors during a security guard strike violates legislation passed in 2024.
The federal government is facing accusations of breaking its own labor laws following the deployment of replacement workers at the Bank of Canada. According to reporting from CityNews Toronto, NDP Leader Avi Lewis stated that the government is defying national law during a strike by security officers that has lasted nearly 100 days.
In 2024, Canada enacted legislation prohibiting federally regulated workplaces from employing replacement workers during legal strikes, a rule that went into effect last year. CityNews Toronto reports that security officers began their strike in June after the union and the central bank failed to reach a new collective agreement. The Canada Industrial Relations Board has since issued two decisions concluding that the Bank of Canada contravened the Canada Labour Code by utilizing contractors and the services of union members during the dispute.
Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem addressed the issue in July, asserting that certain exceptions to the labor rules permit the use of replacement workers if they are required to prevent serious damage to property or threats to health, safety, and life. However, Avi Lewis characterized the situation as a test of the 2024 law, alleging that the Bank of Canada and the government have demonstrated a willingness to ignore the country's legal framework.