With the passage of Bill C-4 to repeal two anti-union bills, a significant step was taken this week to undo the Harper Government’s legacy. “These bills were a direct attack on the rights of working people, and a deliberate attempt to weaken unions in their struggle to improve the lives of all workers,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias. “The Liberals promised to erase these bills from our history, and I applaud this action to undo what never should have been passed in the first place.”

Labour Minister MaryAnn Mihychuk introduced Bill C-4 last January which sought to repeal bills C-377 and C-525 originally introduced under the Harper Government. Bills C-377 placed onerous requirements on unions to report expenses, while C-525 would make it more difficult for Canadians in federally regulated workplaces to join a union. The Bill revoking C-377 and C-525 was passed by the House of Commons on Wednesday, October 19. “Unions work to improve the lives of all Canadians and build stronger communities. Legislation that restricts their ability to do that hurts the entire country,” Dias said.