The first day of striking by 155,000 federal public servants kicked off Wednesday, with pressure on the federal government to reach a deal to prevent prolonged service disruptions for Canadians.
Canada’s largest public service union, the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), kicked off the strike at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday morning, after saying they had “exhausted every other avenue to reach a fair contract,” which is exactly what the federal Liberals say is already on the table, both in terms of a wage increase and other accommodations.
Those striking include approximately 120,000 members across the core public administration, as well as 35,000 Canada Revenue Agency employees. Though, the federal government says approximately 48,000 of those workers have been designated as essential and will remain on the job.
Negotiations are ongoing in the nation’s capital, but as those talks continue behind closed doors, here’s a rundown of the developments from Parliament Hill as they happened:
5:15 P.M.: PSAC PRESIDENT UPDATES CTV NEWS ON STRIKE
Appearing on CTV News Channel’s Power Play, PSAC National President Chris Aylward said his message to Canadians—who soon may be seeing their passport application, or tax return delayed depending on how long this strike continues—is that the union doesn’t like having to take this step, but “this government forced us into this position.”
Asked by host Vassy Kapelos whether a strike could have been avoided, he said that this outcome is due to “very slow progress” at the bargaining table since June 2021. He said the Liberals’ current wage offer was only put on the table after the union announced the strike votes in January 2023.
“The majority of our members make between $40,000 and $65,000 a year. They can’t suffer another rollback. That’s what this government is asking them to do,” he said, noting their ask for a 13.5 per cent increase is in-line with current inflation rates, even though inflation is on track to come down.
He said that while the federal government is facing a tough economic situation, it could opt to go after wealthy corporations to recoup the costs of paying federal workers more. He suggested if the federal government — as the largest employer in the country — represses wages, it’ll set a precedent for all Canadian employers.
5 P.M.: TREASURY BOARD’S FORTIER UPDATES CTV NEWS ON TALKS
Appearing on CTV News Channel’s Power Play, Treasury Board President Mona Fortier was asked why the federal government couldn’t avoid this strike. She said it was because when the Liberals tabled their first wage position last year, PSAC chose to walk away from the talks, until they got back to mediation two weeks ago.
She wouldn’t say how long it took, or why it took as long as it did for the government’s current wage offer to be put on the table, saying: “we did not set a date and time for strike action, the union did.”
The federal minister who represents an Ottawa riding also continued to dodge questions around whether back-to-work legislation has been ruled out.
“I’m in the first day of strike action. We’re still working really hard at the table. So I’m putting all our efforts there,” Fortier said.
As for where talks stood around the issue of remote work, Fortier said there are “different solutions being discussed right now,” and that she remains hopeful about finding “common ground” on that issue.
3:15 P.M.: PSAC HILL STRIKE SHRINKS, NOT TOP ISSUE IN QP
Outside of Parliament Hill, the number of public servants picketing diminished on Wednesday afternoon, but inside the House of Commons the issue remained pressing.
While not the dominating issue during question period, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was asked by various parties about the state of the talks, as well as other pressing and political issues facing the minority Liberals.
“It is a failure to increase the cost of the bureaucracy by 50 per cent with poorer services. It is a failure to have 150,000 workers go out on strike, and the biggest general strike in four decades. But it is an especially incredible achievement of incompetence to do both of those things at the same time. Only the prime minister could pull that off… How will the prime minister fix the government he broke?” asked Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre.
“Unlike the members opposite in the Conservative Party, we deeply respect the work that unions do across the country to stand up for good middle class jobs. That’s why we’ve ensured that the work is done at the bargaining table. We know there’s progress being made… Yes, Canadians deserve their services, and we need to continue to support the public service that delivers those services to Canadians,” Trudeau replied.
“New Democrats are extremely disappointed that the Liberal government didn’t arrive at a negotiated agreement with the Public Service Alliance of Canada… This government often talks a good game on a collective bargaining but ends up doing very much the same as the Conservatives. So will the prime minister commit to not bring in back-to-work legislation and instead commit to negotiating a fair deal for these workers?” asked NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh.
Trudeau did not commit to not consider back-to-work legislation, saying he remains “very optimistic” to see the strike resolved.
12:30 P.M.: FEDS UPDATE ON STRIKE, SAY CAN’T OFFER ‘BLANK CHEQUE’
Federal ministers confirmed midday Wednesday that there is still no deal with the striking public servants, because the federal government “cannot write a blank cheque.”
“I can’t stress enough how disappointing this is, based on the progress we’ve made at the negotiating table. This is not where we should be. Over the past two weeks, we’ve been able to resolve a number of issues through mediation. And most importantly, we have put a fair, competitive wage offer on the table,” said Treasury Board President Mona Fortier.
She said that the government is at the table with a “competitive” offer of a nine per cent wage increase over three years—matching the recommendation by the Public Interest Commission— as well as proposals around remote work, increased shift and weekend premiums, and improved leave with pay for family responsibilities.
“To all federal public servants across the country who work hard every day, your work is valued by Canadians and by us. We will continue to work with the PSAC to reach agreements that are fair and competitive, but we cannot do that unless the union is prepared to compromise. We cannot write a blank cheque,” Fortier said.
Joined by CRA Minister Diane Lebouthillier and other federal ministers, the press conference included a detailed update on the services that will be impacted as a result of this strike. You can read more about the expected service delays, here.
12:20 P.M.: GOVERNMENT HOUSE LEADER ON BACK-TO-WORK LEGISLATION
Government House Leader Mark Holland was asked by reporters about the timing of potential back-to-work legislation, given the procedural and timing requirements.
He would not speak to specifics, saying the government’s focus is still on negotiations.
“We want to make sure that a deal is found that’s fair to those who work incredibly hard within the public service and serve Canadians but at the same time that’s fair for taxpayers. So, we’re taking this… step by step… and I wouldn’t engage in sort of a hypothetical about what will happen in the future,” he said.
Pressed to comment on whether there is work underway to prepare legislation in the event that talks collapse, Holland said that while he understands the temptation to look into the future, he’s “not clairvoyant.”
“I can’t tell you where this is going to go, but I can say that there’s a fair deal on the table, and that our objective to make sure that a deal that is fair both to the taxpayers and to the public service.”
12 P.M.: PSAC LEADERS SPEAK FROM PICKET LINE
Outside of the Treasury Board Headquarters, PSAC national president Chris Aylward and PSAC’s national executive vice-president spoke to striking workers and the media from the picket line set up at 90 Elgin St. in Ottawa, otherwise known as the Jim Flaherty Building.
“Workers are fed up, workers are frustrated, and workers are saying enough is enough. We’re not going to take the garbage anymore,” Aylward said. “We’re still at the table. Talks are ongoing, but we’re going to stay out here for as long as it takes, until we get a fair deal… When we work together in solidarity… we will win this fight.”
A key sticking point for PSAC appears to be remote work, seeking that it be enshrined in collective agreements. Aylward questioned why the Treasury Board has said that hybrid work is the way of the future, but now at the table is showing resistance to more flexibility. The federal position is that determining where employees work is a key management right.
“If they don’t get back to the table, and if they don’t start negotiating seriously on our priorities, we will stay out here for as long as it takes,” he said.
According to PSAC there are more than 250 picket locations across the country, making this is one of the largest strikes in Canada’s history.
11:45 A.M.: CONSERVATIVE CRITIC SAYS FEDS NEED TO ‘GET… ACT TOGETHER’
Addressing the strike, Conservative MP and treasury board critic Stephanie Kusie spoke to reporters following a caucus meeting, calling on the federal government to “get their act together.”
“The strike that we are witnessing here today is a complete result of the incompetence of the prime minister… and his government. Canada is broken. And this is just simply another example. After eight years of this Liberal government, public servants are also suffering, with higher costs of living, higher inflation.”
Kusie questioned why with billions of additional spending on the public service, this contract dispute has not been solved.
“It’s Canadians who suffer. It’s Canadians who will not receive their passports. It’s Canadians’ loved ones who will not have their immigration processes completed, and it’s Canadians who will not receive their tax returns,” Kusie said. “We are calling on Justin Trudeau and the Liberal government to get their act together, to resolve this strike, to come to an agreement.”
10:15 A.M.: NDP LEADER JAGMEET SINGH JOINS PICKET LINE
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, backed by several members of the New Democrat caucus joined PSAC strikers on Parliament Hill.
In an interview with CTV News’ Kevin Gallagher, Singh called on the federal government to keep negotiating beyond the nine per cent cumulative wage offer, and present a “fair contract” that responds to all of PSCA’s demands.
“These workers are the workers that were there for Canadians, when people needed help the most during the pandemic. These are the workers that delivered unprecedented supports, financial supports to people, and now they’re asking for respect and dignity,” Singh said.
“They’re feeling the squeeze of inflation. These are some of the lower-paid for public sector workers. And they’re demanding respect, which I fully support… The solution here is the government has to deliver a contract, fairly negotiated, that respects these workers.”
Singh reiterated that the NDP will never support back-to-work legislation, saying these workers are fighting for “all workers.”
10:10 A.M.: PRIME MINISTER JUSTIN TRUDEAU SPEAKS TO DISRUPTION
Speaking to reporters on his way into a Liberal caucus meeting, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that Canadians have the right and deserve to be able to get the services they expect from the federal government, and that’s why public service management and labour representatives need to “get back to the bargaining table.”
Stating he would not negotiate in public, the prime minister wouldn’t comment on why the government wants to force public service workers back into the office to do work that they’ve been doing remotely since the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Nor would he say whether back-to-work legislation is an option.
“We understand it’s really important to respect labour rights, and there’s a labour disruption right now. It’s the first day. Let’s make sure that, while this is going on, we are at the negotiating table. That’s why we expect both managers and unions to sit down and keep [doing] the hard work for Canadians,” Trudeau said.
On their way into a federal Liberal caucus meeting, some of the key ministers whose departments are now impacted by the strike addressed questions about what the work stoppage will mean for Canadians.
The lead minister, Treasury Board Present Mona Fortier, said the federal government is still at the table and is hopeful about making progress today.
“I am convinced that we can,” Fortier said.
Immigration Minister Sean Fraser said he’s looking now at maintaining essential services, but the strike has the potential to have “a serious impact” on service levels, noting the recent progress in reducing processing times that may be lost the longer public service workers remain off the job.
Karina Gould, whose portfolio includes Service Canada and passports, said her relevant staff will only be able to process humanitarian and urgent passports — such as those needed if there was a death in the family or an illness that requires treatment abroad — as long as the strike lasts. Other income support programs are being prioritized.
“We’re going to have to see how this goes. You know, if this job action ramps up quickly, it won’t have a big impact. However, if it goes on for quite some significant period of time, then it will.”
“At this point in time… you know, we’re an hour into it, let’s hope that those negotiations continue to proceed.”
TORONTO – Will Taylor Swift bring chaos or do we all need to calm down?
It’s a question many Torontonians are asking this week as the city braces for the arrival of Swifties, the massive fan base of one of the world’s biggest pop stars.
Hundreds of thousands are expected to descend on the downtown core for the singer’s six concerts which kick off Thursday at the Rogers Centre and run until Nov. 23.
And while their arrival will be a boon to tourism dollars — the city estimates more than $282 million in economic impact — some worry it could worsen Toronto’s gridlock by clogging streets that already come to a standstill during rush hour.
Swift’s shows are set to collide with sports events at the nearby Scotiabank Arena, including a Raptors game on Friday and a Leafs game on Saturday.
Some residents and local businesses have already adjusted their plans to avoid the area and its planned road closures.
Aahil Dayani says he and some friends intended to throw a birthday bash for one of their pals until they realized it would overlap with the concerts.
“Something as simple as getting together and having dinner is now thrown out the window,” he said.
Dayani says the group rescheduled the gathering for after Swift leaves town. In the meantime, he plans to hunker down at his Toronto residence.
“Her coming into town has kind of changed up my social life,” he added.
“We’re pretty much just not doing anything.”
Max Sinclair, chief executive and founder of A.I. technology firm Ecomtent, suggested his employees avoid the company’s downtown offices on concert days, saying he doesn’t see the point in forcing people to endure potential traffic jams.
“It’s going to be less productive for us, and it’s going to be just a pain for everyone, so it’s easier to avoid it,” Sinclair said.
“We’re a hybrid company, so we can be flexible. It just makes sense.”
Swift’s concerts are the latest pop culture moment to draw attention to Toronto’s notoriously disastrous daily commute.
In June, One Direction singer Niall Horan uploaded a social media video of himself walking through traffic to reach the venue for his concert.
“Traffic’s too bad in Toronto, so we’re walking to the venue,” he wrote in the post.
Toronto Transit Commission spokesperson Stuart Green says the public agency has been working for more than a year on plans to ease the pressure of so many Swifties in one confined area.
“We are preparing for something that would be akin to maybe the Beatles coming in the ‘60s,” he said.
Dozens of buses and streetcars have been added to transit routes around the stadium, and the TTC has consulted the city on potential emergency scenarios.
Green will be part of a command centre operated by the City of Toronto and staffed by Toronto police leaders, emergency services and others who have handled massive gatherings including the Raptors’ NBA championship parade in 2019.
“There may be some who will say we’re over-preparing, and that’s fair,” Green said.
“But we know based on what’s happened in other places, better to be over-prepared than under-prepared.”
Metrolinx, the agency for Ontario’s GO Transit system, has also added extra trips and extended hours in some regions to accommodate fans looking to travel home.
A day before Swift’s first performance, the city began clearing out tents belonging to homeless people near the venue. The city said two people were offered space in a shelter.
“As the area around Rogers Centre is expected to receive a high volume of foot traffic in the coming days, this area has been prioritized for outreach work to ensure the safety of individuals in encampments, other residents, businesses and visitors — as is standard for large-scale events,” city spokesperson Russell Baker said in a statement.
Homeless advocate Diana Chan McNally questioned whether money and optics were behind the measure.
“People (in the area) are already in close proximity to concerts, sports games, and other events that generate massive amounts of traffic — that’s nothing new,” she said in a statement.
“If people were offered and willingly accepted a shelter space, free of coercion, I support that fully — that’s how it should happen.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 13, 2024.
TORONTO – Hundreds of Taylor Swift fans lined up outside the gates of Toronto’s Rogers Centre Wednesday, with hopes of snagging some of the pop star’s merchandise on the eve of the first of her six sold-out shows in the city.
Swift is slated to perform at the venue from Thursday to Saturday, and the following week from Nov. 21 to Nov. 23, with concert merchandise available for sale on some non-show days.
Swifties were all smiles as they left the merch shop, their arms full of sweaters and posters bearing pictures of the star and her Eras Tour logo.
Among them was Zoe Haronitis, 22, who said she waited in line for about two hours to get $300 worth of merchandise, including some apparel for her friends.
Haronitis endured the autumn cold and the hefty price tag even though she hasn’t secured a concert ticket. She said she’s hunting down a resale ticket and plans to spend up to $600.
“I haven’t really budgeted anything,” Haronitis said. “I don’t care how much money I spent. That was kind of my mindset.”
The megastar’s merchandise costs up to $115 for a sweater, and $30 for tote bags and other accessories.
Rachel Renwick, 28, also waited a couple of hours in line for merchandise, but only spent about $70 after learning that a coveted blue sweater and a crewneck had been snatched up by other eager fans before she got to the shop. She had been prepared to spend much more, she said.
“The two prized items sold out. I think a lot more damage would have been done,” Renwick said, adding she’s still determined to buy a sweater at a later date.
Renwick estimated she’s spent about $500 in total on “all-things Eras Tour,” including her concert outfit and merchandise.
The long queue for Swift merch is just a snapshot of what the city will see in the coming days. It’s estimated that up to 500,000 visitors from outside Toronto will be in town during the concert period.
Tens of thousands more are also expected to attend Taylgate’24, an unofficial Swiftie fan event scheduled to be held at the nearby Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
Meanwhile, Destination Toronto has said it anticipates the economic impact of the Eras Tour could grow to $282 million as the money continues to circulate.
But for fans like Haronitis, the experience in Toronto comes down to the Swiftie community. Knowing that Swift is going to be in the city for six shows and seeing hundreds gather just for merchandise is “awesome,” she said.
Even though Haronitis hasn’t officially bought her ticket yet, she said she’s excited to see the megastar.
“It’s literally incredible.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 13, 2024.
OTTAWA – Via Rail is asking for a judicial review on the reasons why Canadian National Railway Co. has imposed speed restrictions on its new passenger trains.
The Crown corporation says it is seeking the review from the Federal Court after many attempts at dialogue with the company did not yield valid reasoning for the change.
It says the restrictions imposed last month are causing daily delays on Via Rail’s Québec City-Windsor corridor, affecting thousands of passengers and damaging Via Rail’s reputation with travellers.
CN says in a statement that it imposed the restrictions at rail crossings given the industry’s experience and known risks associated with similar trains.
The company says Via has asked the courts to weigh in even though Via has agreed to buy the equipment needed to permanently fix the issues.
Via said in October that no incidents at level crossings have been reported in the two years since it put 16 Siemens Venture trains into operation.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 13, 2024.
