Finance committee  Sure. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Going back to one of your original questions, I really don't think there is an alteration in the meaning at all. I think really what we're dealing with is rather than any kind of empirical evidence that there will be fundamental overhauls to services that are declared as essential, it's more, first of all, a fear and a concern, coupled with the fact that the legislation is not entirely clear, as to why this is really being put in the way it is.

Finance committee  I know that the most recent experience we've been doing research in is actually that of the Ontario public sector, particularly pertaining to its education sector, primarily because of the fact that you now have a system where in the last couple of years it has become intrinsically broken, based on some of the unclear relationships.

Finance committee  I don't believe I referenced an increase in strike action in Canada. I think my comment was about what we see with regard to the application of the essential service designation and the impact that could have on people's options and evaluations, as to whether or not they are going to strike and whether the government, through this bill, is pushing them into those more militant strategies.

Finance committee  —when all political parties make their decisions on these matters. Thank you.

Finance committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair. We at the Frontier Centre are proud to have been invited to speak today because we feel that Bill C-4 represents a series of essential changes and clarifications to a variety of aspects of Canadian government. As requested, my comments here will be limited to part 3, divisions 17 and 18, which seek to modernize the collective bargaining and recourse systems available.

Finance committee  Yes, sir, I can.