Government plans to introduce economy bill critics say will threaten right to strike

Carney’s government is expected to introduce multiple new pieces of potential legislation when Parliament resumes for its fall sitting. Michael Serapio reports.

OTTAWA -- Members of Parliament return from their summer break today, and the government is expected to introduce a wide-ranging bill they say is focused on making the economy more resilient.

But critics caution it could threaten the right to strike.

Government House Leader Steven MacKinnon, Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu and Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc are scheduled to hold a joint press conference on the bill after it’s introduced later today.

On Saturday Hajdu said the goal is to “reduce” the number of times the government intervenes in the collective bargaining process and MacKinnon said the goal is to make it “easier” to reach an agreement.

MacKinnon told CBC News there are “too many” lockouts, strikes and threats of job action and that it “harms” investment and employment.

Labour leaders, including the heads of Unifor and Canadian Labour Congress, have said any measure that restricts workers’ ability to strike weakens their rights and strips bargaining power.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 21, 2026.