Unions Form War Room to Counter Section 107
The Canadian Labour Congress says unions are coordinating a joint defence as Bill C-39 moves through Parliament.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Unions
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The Canadian Labour Congress has announced that unions are setting up a joint war room to defend against federal interventions under Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code. The move follows the government's proposed Bill C-39, which clarifies a minister's power to use Section 107 to end work stoppages.
Why it matters
Section 107 can order a federally regulated business to resume operations or enter binding arbitration, directly affecting workers who are on strike. Union leaders argue the bill attacks the right to strike, while the federal government says the changes add conditions to protect workers and the national interest across Canada.
The government must determine that a work stoppage affects the national interest before invoking Section 107, under conditions the federal government says Bill C-39 imposes. Parties have until November 4, 2026 to propose amendments, and it is not yet known which changes will be adopted.
The players
Canadian Labour Congress
The national federation of Canadian labour unions, which represents millions of workers and advocates for labour rights at the federal level.
Bea Bruske
President of the Canadian Labour Congress, who announced the joint union defence effort against Section 107 interventions.
The details
Unions could share funds, legal expertise and other resources to support an affected local organization through the joint war room. The Canadian Labour Congress has also proposed requiring government to make its case before Parliament to end a legal strike, and an independent panel of experts to assess national economic emergencies.
Timeline
Spring and summer 2026: Two consultation periods gathered feedback that was incorporated into Bill C-39.
October 29, 2026: Canadian Press first reported on the union war room.
November 4, 2026: Deadline for parties to propose amendments to Bill C-39.
Political Context
Union leaders argue that spelling out a minister's power to quash a work stoppage under Section 107 attacks the right to strike. The Canadian Labour Congress has proposed an independent expert panel to assess national economic emergencies as an alternative to ministerial discretion.
If Bill C-39 passes with the proposed conditions, federally regulated workers facing a strike would see a more limited government ability to end it through Section 107. Workers and employers in federally regulated sectors across Canada would be directly affected by any final version of the law.
The takeaway
Watch the November 4 amendment deadline, since the final wording of Bill C-39 will determine how much power ministers keep over federally regulated work stoppages. Unions and employers in those sectors should review the outcome closely.
What happens next
Parties have until November 4, 2026 to propose amendments to Bill C-39, which will shape how Section 107 can be used going forward.
Further reading
For more on how labour disputes are handled nationally, explore our Unions coverage.
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