NDP Leader Howard Hampton said the McGuinty Liberals are condemning working Ontarians to harassment, intimidation and even termination by voting down his Private Member’s Bill to reintroduce card certification in Ontario.
“It’s shameful that the McGuinty Liberals voted down a bill will make it easier and fairer for Ontario workers to unionize. The Harris Conservative government removed card certification in 1995 and the McGuinty Liberals are continuing to turn their backs to Ontario’s most vulnerable workers, those who toil away for the lowest wages and without good benefits,” said Hampton.
Under card certification, a union can be created without a ratification vote when more than 55 per cent of workers sign a union card. Other provinces such as Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec and New Brunswick all have card certification.

Today, members of the Ontario Legislature defeated Hampton’s Private Member’s Bill 55 to 11. More than 40 members of the McGuinty government, including several cabinet ministers, voted against the bill.
Hampton noted the irony of the McGuinty Liberals voting down his bill on May 1, the “International Workers’ Day” which celebrates the social and economic achievements of the labor movement worldwide.
“This is about social and economic justice. Card certification is good for workers, good for business and good for the economy. Unfortunately, this is a matter of political will, which is in short supply with the McGuinty Liberals. And it’s hard-working Ontarians who will suffer because of it,” said Hampton.