National Day of Action Held in Canada to Defend the Right to Strike

Workers rally outside Evan Solomon’s office in Toronto -- image via the ETFO on X

Various Sources

Workers across Canada held coordinated rallies on Thursday, October 15 to oppose Bill C‑39, a federal proposal that unions say would significantly weaken the right to strike by expanding the labour minister’s power to end legal work stoppages.

Workers mobilized in 21 communities during the National Day of Action across Canada to warn the public that Bill C‑39 threatens core labour rights. Demonstrations took place outside constituency offices during MPs’ constituency week, including those of Prime Minister Mark Carney in Ottawa. Events also occurred from Cape Breton to Montreal, Regina, Burnaby, and beyond, with broad national participation.

Bill C‑39—formally the Building Canada Strong Act—is an omnibus bill that proposes regulatory changes to speed up project approvals and modernize transportation policy. The problem stems from its labour provisions.

It preserves and expands the minister’s authority under section 107 of the Canada Labour Code, allowing intervention in legal strikes when deemed necessary to maintain “industrial peace”. It also adds explicit language enabling the minister to ask the industrial relations board to order workers back to work if a strike “adversely affects national interest”.

Labour leaders note this gives employers reason to expect government intervention, undermining any incentive for them to negotiate fairly. They are further warning that Bill C‑39 would erode constitutional rights and destabilize collective bargaining.

Siobhan Vipond, Canadian Labour Congress executive vice president, said the bill risks “losing a constitutional right… based on a minister’s opinion.” Bea Bruske, CLC president, stated the changes “will increase labour unrest across Canada” and make disputes harder to resolve.

Union leaders have emphasized that over 95% of federally regulated disputes are resolved without a strike, making the proposed restrictions completely disproportionate. Some unions have pledged to defy the restrictions if enacted.