Conservative MP Russ Hiebert said a new poll shows there is consistent support for his Bill C-377, which calls for new levels of financial disclosure by labour organizations.
The South-Surrey-White Rock-Cloverdale MP said the poll of 1,400 working Canadians – conducted in July and August for what he termed the “non-partisan” Canadian LabourWatch Association – shows “a broad public consensus” on the need for “financial transparency” by labour unions.
In a news release last week, Hiebert said the poll confirms “83 per cent of working Canadians, 84 per cent of unionized Canadians, and fully 89 per cent of formerly unionized Canadians agree with mandatory financial disclosure.”
According to its website, LabourWatch is “financially supported by national and provincial industry associations and law firms.” Amongst the information it provides is advice on how to cancel union cards and decertify unions.
Critics of C-377, including the Canadian Labour Congress, note unions are already required to disclose financial information to their members and allege Hiebert’s bill is designed to hamstring unions.
The bill, previously extensively modified by the Senate, is back before it in original form, on first reading, as a result of the prorogation of parliament by Prime Minister Stephen Harper.