NDP leader says Ottawa breaking labour law as Bank of Canada strike nears 100 days

OTTAWA — NDP Leader Avi Lewis claims the federal government is disregarding its own labour statutes following the Bank of Canada's admission of employing replacement workers during a security officers' strike. In 2024, Canada enacted a law prohibiting federally regulated workplaces from utilizing replacement workers during a legal strike, with the new regulations taking effect last year.

At a protest outside the Bank of Canada today, Lewis declared this strike marks the first trial of that law, and the government, along with the Bank of Canada, have made it evident they are ready to "challenge the law of this nation." Security personnel at the Bank of Canada embarked on a strike in June after negotiations failed to reach an agreement on a new collective bargaining contract between the central bank and the union.

The Canada Industrial Relations Board issued two rulings suggesting the central bank violated the Canada Labour Code by employing contractors and union members during the strike. Tiff Macklem, governor of the Bank of Canada, stated in July that certain exceptions to the rules permit the use of replacement workers when necessary to avert threats to life, health, or safety, or to avert significant damage to property. This report by The Canadian Press initially appeared on September 23, 2026.