09/29/2026
NSUPE stands in opposition to Bill C-39 and has written the following open letter to Nova Scotia's Members of Parliament.
On behalf of the members of the Nova Scotia Union of Public and Private Employees (NSUPE), I am writing to express our opposition to Bill C-39, the Building Canada Strong Act.
While we recognize the importance of investing in Canada's economic future and creating opportunities for growth, we have serious concerns about the impact this legislation could have on workers and their rights. Economic development should never come at the expense of the very people whose labour makes that development possible.
At NSUPE, we believe workers are the foundation of strong communities and a strong economy. Our union was built on the principles of safe working conditions, job security, fair wages, respect in the workplace, and a meaningful voice for workers in decisions that affect their livelihoods. We believe that all work has dignity and deserves fair compensation, and we have always been unapologetic in defending the rights and interests of our members.
Workers are not obstacles to progress. They are the people who build, maintain, operate, and deliver the services and infrastructure Canadians rely on every day. Whether they work in the public or private sector, their contributions are essential to the success and prosperity of our communities.
What concerns us most about Bill C-39 is the message it sends regarding labour relations. Generations of workers have fought to secure the right to organize, bargain collectively, and take strike action when necessary. These rights are not privileges; they are fundamental protections that help ensure fair wages, safe workplaces, and equitable treatment on the job. Any legislation that makes it easier to interfere with those rights risks upsetting the balance that collective bargaining is intended to achieve.
We are particularly concerned by provisions that may increase government intervention in labour disputes and diminish workers' bargaining power. Strong labour relations are built through good-faith negotiations between workers and employers, not through measures that weaken the ability of workers to advocate for themselves. When workers lose leverage at the bargaining table, fairness in the workplace suffers.
NSUPE also believes that changes to labour relations should not be made without meaningful consultation with the workers and unions that will be directly affected. Legislation of this size and scope deserves careful review and genuine engagement. The people who will live with the consequences of these decisions deserve to have their voices heard before those decisions are made.
We support responsible investment, infrastructure development, and economic growth. We support projects that create good jobs, strengthen communities, and improve the lives of Canadians. However, we reject the notion that Canada must choose between economic growth and workers' rights. We can and must achieve both.
Strong economies are built when workers have a voice, when collective agreements are respected, and when governments recognize that prosperity is best achieved through collaboration, not by limiting the rights of working people. Protecting workers' rights and building a stronger economy are not competing goals; they are complementary ones.
As Parliament considers Bill C-39, we urge you to stand with working Canadians and oppose any provisions that weaken collective bargaining rights, interfere with the right to strike, or reduce workers' ability to have a meaningful voice in their workplaces. Building a stronger Canada begins with respecting the people whose labour keeps our communities, public services, and economy running.
Thank you for your time and consideration. We hope you will stand with working people and help ensure that Canada's future remains one where economic growth is accompanied by fairness, respect, strong labour protections, and a genuine commitment to the dignity of work.
Confederation of Canadian Unions Canadian Union of Skilled Workers Public and Private Workers of Canada - PPWC
