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Tories threaten back to work legislation in CP Rail dispute

It should come as no surprise to anyone that the Harper government is threatening back to work legislation in the CP labour dispute.

"We want to make sure the effect on the economy is being brought to people's attention and that we're keeping it in mind as it proceeds," "federal labour minister Lisa Raitt said Wednesday noting that a strike would cost Canada's economy about $540 million a week.

This is the Harper government's modus operandi when it comes to large-scale strikes or lockouts.

If the CP legislation makes it to the floor of the House, it would be the sixth such bill that the Conservatives have introduced since forming government in 2006.

While 'big labour' will argue that the government is stomping on worker rights, the government seems to have industry on side.

Raymond James Ltd. analyst Steve Hansen told the Globe and Mail that the transportation of commodities such as coal, grain, metals and potash will be hit hard, adding that a wide array of shipments will be disrupted on domestic, cross-border and overseas export markets.

Peter Wallis, president of the Van Horne Institute, told the Calgary Herald that a prolonged labour disruption would be especially bad for Western Canada.

"The majority of containers that are coming over the Asia-Pacific supply chain from the ports of Vancouver have destinations right across Canada," he said, adding that several major cities are served by CP, including Calgary with a major intermodal yard here.

Wallis also said if there is a strike the containers would have to be diverted onto trucks in Vancouver which would contribute to additional congestion on the TransCanada Highway.

Even the public seems to have lost their patience with union grievances.

A poll conducted by Forum Research during last June's Canada Post strike suggested that 70 per cent of Canadians supported the Harper government's back-to-work legislation.

Another poll, this one from Abacus Data, said 60 per cent of Canadians supported the federal government getting involved and legislating Air Canada and Canada Post workers back to work.

According to Aaron Wherry of Maclean's, Parliament saw nine back-to-work bills in the 1990s, six in the 80s, 10 in the 70s, four in the 60s and two in the 50s.

With the public on side, we just may see a new record for the Harper government.