Public Service Alliance of Canada BC

Your TC bargaining Team was in Ottawa from January 28 to February 03. We met with the Employer to table more proposals and provide further information on other items previously submitted.

• See all TB bargaining updates.
• Sign up for regional TB bargaining updates by email
• Contact your Area/Hub Strike Coordinator here.

As in earlier rounds, bargaining is being coordinated between the Treasury Board Tables, with each Table taking the lead on certain issues. Table TC has the lead on:

• Article 29 – Call-back Pay;
• Article 30 – Standby;
• Article 31 – Reporting Pay;
• Article 34.09 – Captive Time – also to include appropriate appendices;
• Article 41 – Injury-on-duty Leave;
• Article 65.07 – Acting Pay;
• New Article – Pre-retirement Transition Leave;
• New Article 39.09 – Sick LWOP provision for extended absence;
• Various articles involving Compensatory Leave.

We also share the lead on Work Force Adjustment (WFA) with Table SV. We have tabled language on all of the above demands except for WFA.

(more…)

Minutes – Vancouver Area Council meeting January 23, 2008

The meeting was called to order at 5:55PM

In attendance:

• Megan Adam, UEW 20147 (delegate)
• Tom Gallagher, GSU 20008 (delegate)
• Jamey Mills, UTE 20027 (guest)
• Marie Lygo, UVAE 20045 (delegate)
• Jessica Chia, GSU 20008 (delegate)
• Teri Lee, AGR 20044 (delegate)
• Sharon Tieman, UPCE 20101 (delegate)
• Rhonda Johns, UPCE 20095 (delegate)
• Sam Wiese, CEIU 20949 (delegate)

Continue reading below or download the Vancouver Area Council meeting minutes - January 23 2008 (pdf)

1. Affiliated Locals (dues paid)

• UPCE 20101
• GSU 20008
• UEW 20147
• AGR 20044
• CEIU 20949
• UVAE 20045

m/s (Megan/Marie) that UPCE 20095 be given temporary official status, dues cheque will be received this week.

The 2007 dues cheque for UPCE 20101 was cashed, all others were stale dated and needed to be re-issued.

2. Round of introductions

3. BC Regional Convention delegate election.

Discussion on purpose of convention and role of delegate

Nominations

• Jasvir Nagra – UVAE 20045 m/s (Marie/Megan)
• Tracy Shudo – CEIU 20949 m/s (Sam/Teri)
• Jasvir was elected
• Tracy to be alternate m/s (Sam/Marie)

4. Resolution discussions (resolutions to follow)

• Temporary Foreign Workers (Sam/Megan, carried)
• Status of Women Canada (Sam/Megan, carried)
• Colombia (Megan/Sam, carried)
• May Day (Sam/Megan, carried)
• Security & Prosperity Partnership (Sam/Megan, carried)
• Amendment of BC Regional Council Regulation #3, to add “one youth delegate” (Sam/Marie, carried)

5. Political Action

• Sam: Canadian Grain Act amendment – letters to MP were distributed
• Sharon: Canada Post amendment, originated at BC Fed, CUPW lead – letters to MP were distributed
• Monica shared that the Garry and the Political Action Committee are still setting up meetings with MPs if people were interested and available to attend.

6. New Items

• Megan, as the PA rep for TB bargaining has been speaking at several AGMs and meetings and is open to further invitations
• Funding for BC Regional Convention – some discussion and questions on this issue.
• Young Workers Unite! – Feb 7th forum that Jamey will be speaking at organized by the May Day Organizing Committee
• Eight bucks sucks rally – February 16th
• Information on the above are on the regional website.

Meeting adjourned at 7:10PM m/s (Sharon/Sam)

Another in an ongoing series of handouts, news and information that will be of interest to PSAC stewards …

Unfair labour practices interfere with workers’ rights to join and participate in the union, or in the union’s right to represent its members. Unfair labour practices target union representatives or union members for discriminatory treatment because they exercise their union rights. Federal, provincial and territorial labour laws describe unfair labour practices as prohibited conduct, and provide a complaint mechanism to have the matter reviewed. If the labour board agrees that the conduct has violated the law, it can intervene and order that the practice stop.

Before the first labour laws were enacted in Canada, workers had exercised their rights to strike, form unions and bargain collectively before it became “legal” to do so. When these fundamental rights found their place in the early labour laws, they came with protections. Legislators early on decided that legislative provisions were needed to prohibit an employer from abusing its power to circumvent or undermine these rights. Without the protections, it was thought that employers could basically buy the type of union or union representative that served their needs, or use coercion and intimidation to prevent workers from joining or participating in the union or otherwise exercising their rights. These first “unfair labour practice” provisions were the precursors of our modern versions. Today, in every jurisdiction, each labour code outlines in detail those “unfair labour practices” prohibited under the statute.

The law provides a framework to protect union representatives and the members they represent from these illegal practices. Over time, there have been many labour board decisions that have sent a strong message to employers that these rights must be observed and taken seriously. By the same token, an equally strong message has been conveyed to unions that only serious allegations should be brought as unfair labour practice complaints. Therefore, to protect and promote the effectiveness of the union at the workplace, we need to consider the unfair labour practice complaint as but one option among a variety of tools and strategies.

Read more, including some tips for union representatives, in the ‘unfair labour practices’ handout (pdf), prepared by the PSAC Education Section. Visit the Steward’s Network pages at the Regional Website.

OTTAWA - The picture of employment of historically marginalized Canadians in the federal public service is not as rosy as the government would like to have us believe, says the Public Service Alliance of Canada, a union representing more than 100,000 federal public service workers.

“The report submitted by the Canada Public Service Agency to Parliament on Employment Equity support many of our arguments that we presented earlier this week to the Senate Standing Committee on Human Rights,” says Ed Cashman, the PSAC Regional Executive Vice-President for the National Capital Region.

• Read the report submitted to Parliament here (pdf)

For example, the government claims it is meeting its targets with respect to the representation of persons with disabilities relative to their labour market availability. However, the number of persons with disabilities who are hired into the government is below their labour market availability rate.

“In other words,” says Cashman, “the federal government is meeting its legal obligation not through proportional hirings but through injury and illness of workers already on the job. Some workers become persons with disabilities through the course of their careers.”

(more…)

The new (amended) Canadian Occupational Health and Safety Regulation XIX Hazard Prevention is now available. The regulation was amended to include Ergonomic Activities.

• Download the amended section here (pdf) the new language is in bold type. The full regulations are available at laws.justice.gc.ca

• Visit the Health & Safety ‘minisite’. Discuss health & safety issues in the forum.

With the assistance of a Conciliation Officer, the Prince Rupert Airport and the Public Service Alliance of Canada reached a tentative agreement on January 25, 2008. The three (3) year agreement was ratified by the membership on February 6, 2008.

The agreement provides for economic increases of 2.25% in each year of the agreement. It also contains many improvements to the benefits and insurance plans and the vacation leave provisions.

The revised collective agreement has an expiry date of November 30, 2009.

Lawyer, senator, union leader agree minorities are unwelcome

Don Butler, The Ottawa Citizen
Published: Wednesday, February 06, 2008

Justice Canada is a “very poisonous, toxic department” that drives visible minorities out the door, says a high-profile former Justice lawyer.

Mark Persaud, who left Justice in 2003, told a Senate committee the atmosphere during the decade he worked there was rife with “overt racism and intimidation of employees.”

His testimony came on the heels of charges by a senator and the Public Service Alliance of Canada that racism is blocking visible minorities from being properly represented within the federal public service. Nova Scotia Senator Donald Oliver, who is black, bluntly asserted at Monday night’s Senate committee meeting that “it is racism that is preventing visible minorities from progressing in the public service.”

And Ed Cashman, a PSAC vice-president, told senators that racism is “the elephant in the room” that nobody in government wants to talk about.

(more…)

CBSA/Treasury Board to provide responses to key bargaining demands at the end of the month

Our elected FB Bargaining Team met with Treasury Board/CBSA from January 28 to February 1, in an effort to bring the parties closer to a new contract. At the outset of the session, our team expressed frustration over Treasury Board’s position in the compensation study that our Union withdrew from in December. Our team indicated that the jobs that management was comparing our work to in the proposed study demonstrated a fundamental lack of appreciation and respect for the work that we do as enforcement workers.

Our team also indicated our frustration with CBSA/Treasury Board’s lack of progress on the key issues that we have raised in this round. In response, management expressed a commitment to take the time to discuss the key issues with us in good faith. Over the course of the week, we discussed job security in the context of the arming initiative, alternative working arrangements, protection of bargaining unit work, seniority rights and paid investigatory suspension language. We indicated that other federal workers have these things and we deserve no less.

(more…)

CPP/OAS Processing BC/YT Service Area - Workplace Safety & Health Committee Meeting Minutes - November 27th, 2007 1:15 pm

COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP

• Sarah Burns Co Chair CEIU October 17th, 2007
• Crystal Stephens CEIU
• Crystal Anderson Recorder/ CEIU Sept 10th/ November 27th
• Donna Lloyd CEIU
• Heidi Fraser CEIU
• Tina McKechnie In training (Recorder) November 27th 2007

• Kim Bergh Director
• (co-chair) Gwen Kinakin SDM DSB

AGENDA ITEM

1. Call to Order : Welcome to Sarah Burns as new co-chair.

2. Review Minutes of October 17th, 2007: Previous minutes approved.

3. New Business -Workplace Inspection Follow up:

• Continuous work being done. Office-wide clean up and de-clutter to take place on November 28th and 29th. Common areas will be included.
• HVAC and Ceiling grills in process of being cleaned.
• Egress, Safety signage, eyewash stations and fire extinguishers continue to be monitored and updated.
• First Aid Stations and First Aid Attendants: many issues are yet to be addressed. Co-chairs are meeting on Thursday at 10:30 to discuss these issues.
• Missing or deteriorating ceiling tiles to be replaced tonight.
• Inspection schedule amended: Gwen and Crystal Stephens to include CEP area on 5th floor for November’s inspection, and Gwen and Sarah to include 1st floor file room, and basement in December.
• A new Area Rotation Inspection Roster will be available in the new year.
• Area maps and inspection roster to be updated by Tina

4. Hazardous Occurrence Incident Report

• No incidents reported so far this month. Jan has indicated that Heather MacKay is working on a report which occurred during the November Fire Drill. (I don’t recall this? Pete Bowering is the Chief Building Warden – so not clear on how Heather/Jan are involved?)
• Some discussion followed regarding where to send WCB forms. It was suggested that Team Leader should consult with the Administrative Coordinator.

4. Fire Drill Report

• One incident of a fire drill and another alarm occurred last week. As of the time of the meeting, reports have not been seen. Gwen to follow up with Pete Bowering

5. Name of committee

• Discussion about official title. Committee mandate comes from the Canada Labour Code. Gwen to look up original wording.

6. Scents

• Scents continue to be a concern, especially in kitchens, elevators, and the Bar area. This needs to be re-addressed, and general education needs to be improved.

7. Tip of the Month

• November –Kim’s tip is Preventing Trips Slips and Falls.
• December – Heidi will decide on a topic.
• Due to membership changes, roster needs to be updated.
• Rotation updated for current fiscal, next fiscal schedule will be provided in the new year.
• Tina to update Roster for Tip of the Month

8. Round Table

• Sarah: Will recruit additional members for committee. Look at putting a poster on the public folder.
• Crystal: No Comments to report.
• Donna: Paper covering vents in microwave is a fire hazard concern.
• Heidi: Would like to volunteer to be a first aid attendant, and has a valid ticket till November 2008.
• Email Don Campbell about fire concerns. Address in de-clutter.

Meeting adjourned at 2:30 pm

9. Next Meeting : Tuesday, December 18th, 2007 at 1:30 pm

Goal is to collect 5,000 pairs by February 14.

Socks can be delivered to:
VDLC office, 20 - 1880 Triumph Street, Vancouver
Reclaiming Our Spirit, 3985 Dumfries, Vancouver

Labour of Love Fundraising Luncheon:
February 14, Thursday, Simon Baker Aboriginal Friendship Centre, 1607 East Hastings

Message from Reclaiming our Spirit:

Hello everyone, homelessness has a thousand faces.  The reasons people are homeless are many and varied.  Many of the homeless have become disconnected from their families and communities.  A broad base of understanding is required to create and build programs and services that will work towards providing support for each and every person who faces homelessness.  Homelessness can affect people of any age, gender or ethnic background, it does not discriminate.  It is that time of year again and Reclaiming Our Spirit will be conducting our 3rd Annual Sock Drive for the Homeless.  We are seeking your support to make this a successful fundraiser.  If you have any questions please do not hesitate to call our office. 

Also as a part of this important community event we will be having our First Annual Labour of Love Fundraising Luncheon at the Chief Simon Baker Room February 14, 2008 at 1607 East Hastings street from 12:00 noon -2:00 pm. All proceeds from this luncheon will go towards the Labour of Love Sock Drive.   All support is appreciated.

Ottawa – Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz should retract a gag order which threatens Canadian Grain Commission employees who speak out against his government’s legislative proposal to gut the Commission, according to the Agriculture Union – PSAC which represents the employees.

On December 21^st, the Canadian Grain Commission issued a memo to employees forbidding them to publicly criticize Bill C-39, the government’s proposal to cripple the Commission.

“We hope the Minister will disassociate himself from the Commission’s intimidation and assure employees they are free to express their opinion,” said Bob Kingston, National Vice-President of the Agriculture Union – PSAC.

(more…)

Your SV Team was in Ottawa from January 29 to February 1, 2008, to meet with the Employer.Our efforts this week focused on pay zones and the apprenticeship issue. On Article 44, Maternity-Related Reassignment or Leave, the SV group experiences unique work issues around finding alternate work for pregnant and nursing members in workplaces that are hazardous or where the nature of the work poses a health threat to the members.

Ongoing discussions continued on allowances that included height pay, transportation of dangerous goods, NERT and dirty work. Talks centred on broadening the scope of allowances, as well as the method of their payment.

There were meaningful discussions on the apprenticeship issue, with movement on the Employer’s part to entertain this issue.

(more…)

PSAC SOUTHERN VANCOUVER ISLAND DISTRICT AREA COUNCIL GENERAL MEETING MINUTES – January 29th, 2008, PSAC Victoria Regional Office

Members Present:

• Nick Humphreys – UEW 20169
• Virginia Vaillancourt – UVAE 20030
• John Rumsby – UTE 20028
• Cindy Little – UTE 20028
• Scott Parker – UTE 20028
• Jim Sidel – DCL 20500
• Ken Waldron – UNDE 21013
• Peter Neelands – NRU 20088
• Ches Bennett - DCL 20500
• Wayne Little – UTE 20028
• Eric Nygaard – USGE 20018

PSAC Victoria RO Staff Present:

• James Little – H & S Rep
• Rosemary MacKenzie – Admin Assistant

Regrets:

• Dave Jackson – Regional Rep
• Mandi Schubert – CEIU 20975
• Dave Ramalho – UNDE 21011

Download the Southern Vancouver Island Area Council minutes - January 29th 2008 (pdf) or continue reading below.

1. Call to order

• Chairperson Sister Little called the meeting to order at 5:35pm

2. Introductions

• Roundtable introductions of members present

3. Proposed Agenda

• Amendments to the Agenda
• Change in order of business
• Addition of:
  • Defending Quality Public Service – OurFish.ca campaign
  • H & S Forum on Website
  • Resignation from Executive
• m/s/c J Rumsby/W Little

4. Adoption of Minutes from Nov 20, 2007

• m/s/c W Little/ J Sidel

5. Resolutions for Convention:

• February 15, 2008 is the deadline for Resolution submissions to the BC Regional Convention. Resolution being submitted by N Humphreys who will send it out to affiliated locals to get a yes or no on the resolution.
• Resolution: Where PSAC encourages all locals to affiliate with the labour councils across the country. (There are 135 labour councils)
• That PSAC reimburse 50% to locals who affiliate to labour councils.

6. Update on the Victoria Labour Council

• There are pamphlets available which describe what Labour Councils do. The VLC went through a reconstruction last year. New By-laws were written and passed in November. 15 people were elected to the executive.
• There were 90 voting delegates at their last meeting. BCGEU has rejoined the VLC. There is $600.00 available to assist a local with affiliation to the VLC.
• The cost is $4.00/member/year to affiliate. The year begins the day you affiliate.
• Next meeting for VLC is February 20, 2008 at the Cedar Hill Golf Club at 7pm. Members who are not affiliated yet can attend as observers. Arrive at 6:30pm to sign in.
• VLC meets every 3rd Wednesday of the month.

7. Bargaining Update

• TB groups are back in bargaining at the end of January beginning of February.
• Ships crew are back in bargaining the week of Feb 18th.
• Table 3 is awaiting Pay Study.

8. Education 2008

• PSAC Education Schedule is out.
• Follow ups for previous members who have signed up for courses but were unable to attend is being done by Rosemary.
• C Little attended a Fraser Valley Area Council Executive meeting. If members have any thoughts/ ideas on other education courses ie., Political Activitsts; Please advise the Area Council

9. Logo Contest

• Reminder to members to make submissions to our “Create a Logo” Contest.
• Deadline for submissions is February 29, 2008. The winner will receive a bomber style jacket with either the new SVIDAC or the PSAC BC logos.
• You can enter electronically to jacksod@psac.com or by mail Att: SVIDAC Logo Contest, 210 – 1497 Admirals Road, Victoria, BC V9A 2P8.
• Please contact PSAC at 953-1050 if you would like a copy of the guidelines emailed to you.

10. Requests for affiliation to VLC

• SVIDAC has $600.00 to assist locals with affiliation to the VLC if locals are affiliated with the SVIDAC.
• SVIDAC wants a commitment by locals who chose to be affiliate to the VLC

11. Defending Quality Public Service – www.OurFish.ca

• New campaign has been started www.OurFish.ca or www.nospoissons.ca
• Sustainable funding=sustainable fisheries=sustainable communities
• Campaign is about resources not jobs.
• 90% of fish stocks around the work are under threat. There is an information folder available and when Nick receives these he will email AC to see who would like a folder.
• Request that members review the folder and postcards and discuss the campaign with your fellow members. Sign and send in the postcards to Ottawa, no postage required. Atlantic Canada has bought into the campaign.
• Nick will be talking to Jim Sinclair (CLC President), to sports fisherman and to the VLC. Folders have been sent to MP’s, MLA’s across Canada including senators across the country.
• Discuss the campaign at your AGM’s/GM, Nick can attend the meetings to talk about the campaign.
• Component Presidents will be receiving a presentation at next weeks Board meeting.
• Some Native Bands have bought into the campaign.
• PSAC assisted with the funding for the campaign but the majority of funding came from UEW Component.

12. OH & S Forum on Website

• BRUSH now has an interactive website to discuss H & S concerns. Visit www.psacbc.com . Click on Health & Safety link on the right hand side. Then click on the orange guy with megaphone. You will need to create a user id and password.
• In order to add comments you must be logged in but you can still view all of the info. Samples of current forums are: * MSRA * Ergonomics * Disability Insurance. You can add links, pictures etc in to the forum.
• There was a discussion regarding housing the locals H & S minutes on the website. Not all locals submit their minutes to PSAC.
• There was an email notification sent out to advise members of the website. James Little advised that he will be meeting with the National H & S Reps and will be seeking broad distribution of the website Nationally. You can also go to: www.psacbc.com/hs-forum/

13. Resignation from Executive Member

• The SVIDAC Executive received a resignation notice from the Vice- President Todd Genereux.

14. Election of delegate to BC PSAC Regional Convention

• There is no loss of salary covered by PSAC for Friday April 18th.
• Motion to have SVIDAC cover loss of salary for the delegate who attends the BC Regional Convention including the registration fee of $50.00.
• m/s/c N Humphreys/ J Sidel

• Elections conducted by Brother James Little and votes counted by Sister Rosemary MacKenzie and Brother James Little.

• Delegate

• John Rumsby Nominated by W Little, Seconded by S Parker
• Virginia Vaillancourt Nominated by J Sidel, Seconded by E. Nygaard
• Ken Waldron Nominated by N. Humphreys, Seconded by C Bennett

• There were 2 votes held.

• Ken Waldron will be the AC Delegate
• John Rumsby will be the Alternate Delegate

• Motion to destroy ballots.
• m/s/c J Sidel/K Waldron

15. Adjournment

• Motion to adjourn meeting. Meeting adjourned at 7:10pm
• m/s/c W Little/J Sidel

Sister Cindy Little, President and Virginia Vaillancourt, Recording Secretary

As the PSAC celebrates Black History Month, it recognizes and honours the contributions of its Black members and members of African heritage. The actions and dedication of these members have helped advance the PSAC and put us in the forefront in the struggle for human rights and equality. Their strength, courage and vibrancy are exemplified in the success of the union in negotiations, membership representation, political advocacy and the various committees, including the Equal Opportunities and Human Rights Committees.

This year, we commemorate the contributions of an astounding labour and human rights advocate who was one of the founding members of the PSAC: James Calbert Best. The son of a human rights activist and a railway porter, his career in the federal public sector began in the Department of Labour in 1949, where he co-founded the Civil Service Association of Canada, one of the organizations that merged in 1966 to form the PSAC.

• More at the Ottawa Citizen: Man of stature remembered as ‘ideal public servant’

Cal was born in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, and as a young man founded, with his mother, the first African-Canadian owned newspaper in that town, The Clarion. The paper covered local news and sports, but more importantly, delved into the deeper racial issues facing black people in Nova Scotia and across North America. It featured the case of Viola Desmond, who has been referred to as a Canadian Rosa Parks. In 1946, she was arrested and fined for sitting in the “whites only” section of the Roseland Theatre in New Glasgow and refused to move when authorities tried to force her to.

After achieving degrees in political science and public administration, he embarked on a 49-year career in the federal public sector, including a term as Canadian High Commissioner to Trinidad and Tobago.

Even in retirement, his considerable contribution continued. In 1999, he served as a member of the Treasury Board President’s Task Force on the Participation of Visible Minorities in the Federal Public Service.

Cal Best died in the summer of 2007 at the age of 81.

In honour of Cal Best, the PSAC reaffirms its commitment to combating racism in the workplace and extends this invitation to every PSAC member to contribute to the forging of solidarity between all sisters and brothers.

The PSAC is encouraging its members to commemorate Black History Month by organizing or participating in an event that raises awareness about this month, particularly the contributions of Black workers in the Canadian labour movement. Notify the PSAC’s Programs Section of any activities you hold by calling (613) 560-4387 or by e-mail at lambas@psac.com.

Another in an ongoing series of handouts, news and information that will be of interest to PSAC stewards …

Depending on where they work, BC PSAC members may be covered under one of a number of different labour laws. Members who work in federal government departments with Treasury board as the employer are covered by the Public Service Labour Relations Act (PSLRA). PSAC members who work at Airports, Canada Post, Nordion International, IMP Comox and Granville Island fall under the Canada Labour Code (CLC). Still other PSAC members work in employment situations that come under the jurisdiction of provincial labour legislation, for example Commissionaires.

Despite the different labour laws that apply to PSAC members, the same basic union rights are recognized and protected in each piece of legislation. Following are brief descriptions of these important rights.

The right to join a Union: All workers in Canada have a right to join a union. That right is protected under both federal and provincial labour law, the Canadian Charter of Human Rights and Canada’s Constitution.

The right to participate in Union activities: The law not only protects a worker’s right to join a union, but also recognizes the worker’s right to be an active union member.

The right to bargain collectively: In forming unions, workers join together to demand a say in the determination of their wages and working conditions. They act collectively to pressure the employer to come to the bargaining table and negotiate with the union for one contract of employment that will apply equally to all employees. This is the process of collective bargaining and it is one of our most essential union rights.

The right to strike: Sometimes just asking at the bargaining table isn’t enough to get a good collective agreement. At this point, the union members have to decide whether or not they are willing to take strike action to support their bargaining demands. This is not an easy decision. No one wants a strike. Sometimes, however, we need to strike in order to convince the employer that the members are serious about their bargaining demands.

The right to grieve: The end result of collective bargaining is a new or revised collective agreement which sets out employees’ rights on the job. This is not the end of the collective bargaining process however. Now the employees have to make sure the collective agreement works!

Read more in the ‘our rights under the law’ handout (pdf), prepared by the PSAC Education Section. Visit the Steward’s Network pages at the Regional Website.

(Ottawa) The federal government should withdraw amendments to the Grain Act in Bill C-39 because it will hurt grain producers and it ignores the unanimous advice from an all-party Commons committee, according to the Agriculture Union – PSAC.

• Fax your MP - Oppose the amendments to the Grain Act!

The Conservative government’s proposed legislation will gut the Canadian Grain Commission (CGC), the independent body that provides essential services to grain producers. Bill C-39 will be debated for the first time in Parliament today.

The legislation ignores the recommendation of an all–party committee by immediately and aggressively cutting the CGC’s regulatory responsibilities and services. After extensive study, the House of Commons Standing Committee on Agriculture recommended that the Commission receive increased funding to ensure that the essential services it offers to grain producers can be sustained.

“Instead of heeding the advice of politicians from all parties, the Conservative government is putting the future of farmers and of all Canadians who benefit from the grain trade at risk. This bill should be withdrawn and fixed before it is debated in Parliament,” said Bob Kingston, Executive Vice President of Agricultural Union - PSAC.

(more…)