2021 Federal Election: Credibility Matters in Politics

Thursday September 16 2021

Dear Members,

The federal election campaign is coming to an end in less than a week, as we head to the polls on Monday, Sept. 20. It has been a rollercoaster ride for everyone. As the fourth wave of COVID-19 escalates and kids return to school, many are frustrated with this election call. And with good reason.

Nevertheless, our voices will be heard to decide the right direction for the country.

I encourage all members to learn about the different party platforms and candidates. Having the right representation makes a difference in our members’ lives.

What political parties put forward during this campaign is important, but we will not forget their track record to assess the credibility of their commitments.

As the saying goes: History tends to repeat itself. Therefore, we must look at how political parties have addressed workers issues in the past.

Here’s a brief summary of the main federal political parties positioning in recent years.

I hope that this additional information will be helpful when you cast your vote. Remember who is on our side.

If you haven’t done so yet, I urge you to exercise your democratic right to vote on Monday, September 20.

Liberal Party of Canada

Liberal government forced postal workers back to work in 2018 by adopting back-to-work legislation denying postal workers their rights to collective bargaining
Changed Canada Post mandate to reinvest in innovation and services
Voted against the 2011 back-to-work legislation tabled by the Conservative government
Cancelled Conservative anti-union bills C-377 and C-525
In 2021, the Liberals introduced back-to-work legislation against workers at the Port of Montreal.

Conservative Party of Canada

Conservative government forced postal workers back to work in 2011 through back-to-work legislation
Supported the 2018 back-to-work legislation tabled by the Liberal government
Adopted anti-union bills C-377 and C-525 that reduced labor union’s capacities to represent their members.
Voted against legislation that proposed to ban replacement workers in a labour conflict

New Democratic Party of Canada

The federal NDP has supported labour and the issues that matter to working people since its inception.
Introduced and supported anti-scab legislation to protect worker bargaining rights
Voted against back-to-work legislation for postal workers in 2011 and 2018, and for the Port of Montreal workers in 2021
Supports CUPW Delivery Community Power vision of delivering public services to all Canadians while greening postal operations
Supports head-to-toe public accessible health care, including dental care, mental health care and pharmacare

Bloc Québecois

Bloc Québécois has and continues to support workers’ issues in Parliament.
Voted against the 2011 back-to-work legislation tabled by the Conservative government
Voted against the 2018 back-to-work legislation tabled by the Liberal government
Introduced and supported anti-scab legislation to protect workers bargaining rights
Supports CUPW Delivery Community Power vision of delivering public services to all Canadians while greening postal operations

Green Party of Canada

Voted against the 2011 back-to-work legislation tabled by the Conservative government
Supports CUPW Delivery Community Power vision of delivering public services to all Canadians while greening postal operations
Supported anti-scab legislation to protect workers bargaining rights
Supports shorter work weeks to mitigate concerns about job losses during the transition to a low carbon economy.