Federal scab ban a moment of truth for NDP-Liberal confidence agreement

Will the NDP be able to strengthen the legislation in committee while as the business lobby works overtime to weaken it?

Federal labour minister Seamus O’Regan and his NDP counterpart, Alexandre Boulerice, worked together on Bill C-58, which bans the use of scabs in federally regulated workplaces. (Instagram/Alexandre Boulerice)

Federal legislation banning the use of scabs to replace workers striking in federally regulated workplaces was introduced by the Liberals in November and will make its way through committee at some point after the House of Commons returns from its winter break. 

Intense pressure from the powerful pro-business lobby has stymied past efforts to pass anti-scab legislation, but with the Liberal government dependent on its supply-and-confidence agreement with the NDP to hold power until 2025, and the Conservatives attempting to court working class voters, it would be surprising if the government didn’t follow through this time.