Back-to-work legislation, EI backlash to dominate return of Parliament
OTTAWA - Labour Minister Lisa Raitt says the conditions are in place to order striking workers at Canadian Pacific back to work.
The minister says she will likely decide at midnight whether to table legislation when the House resumes Monday ordering about 4,800 workers at CP rail back to work.
She says with the Canadian economy still fragile, the country cannot afford a prolonged strike.
The strike, which began Wednesday, is not the only labour issue facing the Harper government this week.
Human Resources Minister Diane Finley is facing growing pressures to make adjustments to new, stricter employment insurance rules unveiled last week.
While the opposition parties say they will fight the changes, the most concerning aspect for the government may be the long-term political impact in Atlantic Canada, where the changes bite the hardest.
The regional premiers have voiced their concerns with the changes, some warning about a possible political backlash.
