NDP celebrates anti-scab bill coming into force for workers

Canada’s NDP Leader Don Davies issued the following statement:

“Today, we celebrate a historic win for workers across Canada. Thanks to the NDP and Canada’s labour movement, the anti-scab bill, Bill C-58, comes into full force on June 20, 2025. This means federally regulated employers will no longer be allowed to use replacement workers during strikes or lockouts.

The implementation of the anti-scab bill is a major step forward in restoring fairness to the collective bargaining process and strengthening workers’ rights. Replacement workers prolong strikes and lockouts, increase picket line violence and give employers no incentive to bargain fairly. This law promotes good-faith negotiations, reduces disruptions, and gives more power for workers to negotiate fairer wages and better working conditions. This is good for workers, and for the economy.

Nine anti-scab bills had been introduced by the New Democrats over the past 15 years. In 2016, when an NDP anti-scab legislation finally came to a vote, 140 Liberals and 76 Conservatives voted to block it. But we refused to give up. Through the Supply and Confidence Agreement, we forced the Liberal government to finally act after years of delay.

This is a victory for every worker who has ever stood on a picket line and demanded better. It shows what’s possible when working people organize, mobilize, and refuse to back down.

The NDP is proud to have delivered this win, and we’re just getting started. In this Parliament, we will continue to use our balance of power to push for real, lasting change that puts workers first. Our party was built by and for working people, and we will always turn to our roots to build a stronger, more just future for Canada.

Together, we will build a Canada where no one is left behind and where every worker has the power, respect, and opportunity they deserve.”