Harper backs down on plan to ban public sector strikes

Conservatives reeling in retreat at prospect of losing power to an opposition coalition

Ottawa (30 Nov. 2008) - Facing defeat in Parliament and reeling in uncharacteristic retreat, Prime Minister Stephen Harper has backed down on another major element of his government's new economic statement − jettisoning a ban on strikes in the federal public sector.

The announcement was made Sunday by Transport Minister John Baird who just one day earlier was ordered by Harper to scrap another major section of the statement, a plan to end public financing of federal political parties.

There was no word on whether a third provocative element will also be ditched − a proposal to crack down on pay equity by banning complaints dealing with the issue from going to the Canadian Human Rights Commission for resolution. It too has touched off strong criticism.

However, the net result is that the economic statement, a mini-budget crafted largely by Harper and read to Parliament on his behalf by Finance Minister Jim Flaherty, lies in tatters already − a mere three days after it was unveiled.

On the economy itself, the biggest single crisis now confronting Harper, Flaherty announced Sunday he would bring down a new budget Jan. 27.

Incredibly, as other governments around the world scramble to stimulate business and revive the flagging global economy, the Conservative statement contained no measures to address the worsening situation in Canada.

Classic Conservative ideology

Instead, Flaherty called in classic neo-conservative fashion for spending cuts and a fire sale of federal assets (i.e. more privatization) to cope with a looming Canadian budget deficit.

His statement so angered MPs that within hours all opposition parties were meeting to negotiate terms for a coalition government and draft a motion of non-confidence to topple the Conservatives from power as early as Dec. 8, primarily because of the economy.

If Harper is dumped, a coalition is expected to replace the Conservatives without another election. Under parliamentary tradition, the governor-general can consent to such an arrangement if it happens within a reasonable period after a federal election.

In violation of his own law on fixed election dates, Harper went to the polls of Oct. 14 (a year early) but failed to win the majority government he sought. Instead, voters returned him to office with another minority. The Conservatives won 143 seats in the 308-seat House of Commons. The Liberals took 77, the Bloc Quebecois 49, the NDP 37 and Independents two.

Baird's disarray

In backing down from a ban on public sector strikes, Baird said Sunday the government had decided the move was no longer necessary since a settlement had just been reached with its largest union, the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC).

However, the explanation rang hollow, even by Baird's standards of bellicose political rhetoric. The PSAC settlement was announced last Wednesday, the day before Flaherty announced the ban in Parliament. It is widely believed that the ban was proposed purely for partisan ideological reasons.

Even if it had gone ahead, there was a strong likelihood it would not have withstood a constitutional challenge. The Supreme Court of Canada ruled in June 2007 that collective bargaining is protected by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

NUPGE

The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring that our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE