Say NO to BILL C-39
As of October 30, 2026:
Bill C-39, the Building Canada Strong Act (tabled on September 21, 2026), has passed second reading in the House of Commons and is moving through legislative and Senate review amid intense opposition from labour unions.
Status in Parliament
House of Commons: Passed second reading on October 8, 2026 (296 yeas to 26 nays) and was referred to a committee for study.
Senate: The Senate established a special committee to study the bill concurrently, holding hearings in late October 2026 (including a Committee of the Whole session with federal ministers on October 6, 2026).
Key Components of Bill C-39
Project Approvals & Infrastructure: Sweeping changes to federal review processes (including the Impact Assessment Act and Canadian Energy Regulator Act) to fast-track major infrastructure, pipelines, and energy projects—imposing a one-year legislative timeline and shifting some approval powers away from Cabinet to the regulator for shorter pipeline projects (under 300 km).
Canada Labour Code & Section 107: Clarifies and expands the Labour Minister’s powers under Section 107 to intervene in labour disputes, establish guardrails, and mandate binding arbitration in federally regulated industries (such as ports, railways, airlines, and postal services) if the national interest is at risk. It also introduces a prescriptive 9-month timeline for first-contract arbitration.
Reactions and Pushback
Labour Unions Push Back: On October 29, 2026, leaders from the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC), CUPE, and the IAMAW announced they are setting up a "war room" to coordinate a joint national defence against the bill, warning it violates constitutional rights to strike and could trigger nationwide job actions. Unions like CUPE and Unifor have urged senators and MPs to reject or amend the collective bargaining restrictions.
Business Support: Industry and business groups have largely welcomed the changes to labor relations and project approvals, arguing they will protect supply chains from costly work stoppages.
Indigenous & Environmental Critics: First Nations organizations and environmental groups have criticized the legislation for weakening consultation requirements and omitting explicit commitments under the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).
Opposition Amendments: While the Conservatives voted for second reading, leader Pierre Poilievre indicated his party intends to push for amendments to protect worker rights.
October 28, 2026
NDP Comments After Defeat of Right-to-Strike Bill in House of Commons
NDP MP Leah Gazan speaks with reporters following the defeat of her private member's bill (C-247) in the House of Commons. The legislation sought to repeal section 107 of the Canada Labour Code, which gives the federal government powers to intervene in labour disputes and order an end to strikes.
She is joined by NDP parliamentary leader Don Davies and labour leaders Peter Denley (Canadian Union of Postal Workers) and Noah Vineberg (Amalgamated Transit Union of Canada). (October 28, 2026) https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1CTjSobzFf/
Sources:
https://www.parl.ca/legisinfo/en/bill/45-1/c-39
https://mathewsdinsdale.com/the-impact-of-bill-c-39-on-collective-bargaining-for-federal-employer/
https://nationalpost.com/news/labour-unions-set-up-war-room-to-fight-carneys-bill-c-39
https://www.osler.com/en/insights/updates/bill-c-39-speed-federal-reviews-project-decisions/
https://cupe.ca/news/cupe-will-defy-bill-c-39s-unconstitutional-limits-right-strike-if-passed
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/carney-bill-c-39-major-projects-labour-code-strikes-9.7354381
https://www.policyalternatives.ca/news-research/bill-c-39-wont-modernize-labour-relations-in-canada/