Canada's Parliament returned for its fall sitting with the government introducing the Building Canada Strong Act, according to CBC. The bill proposes changes to speed up approvals for major projects and to amend the federal labour code. Its tabling followed a raucous first question period of the session, CBC reports.
The legislation has drawn swift criticism from labour organizations. The Toronto Star reports that unions are attacking the government's changes to labour rules, with one union representative quoted as saying the bill "neuters the right to strike." CTV News also reports that labour groups have raised concerns about how the proposed amendments would affect strike action.
The bill's introduction marks an early flashpoint for the sitting, pairing the government's stated goal of moving major projects forward with a contested rewrite of labour rules. The Globe and Mail reports that the proposal covers both project approvals and amendments to the labour code, while Radio-Canada notes the bill was tabled after the rowdy opening question period.
The details of the proposed changes to the labour code and the approval process have not been fully laid out in the reporting available. What is clear is that the government is framing the bill as a way to accelerate major projects, while unions argue it weakens their ability to strike.
Watch for committee debate and further union responses as the bill moves through the legislative process.
