Bill C-259: The Fair Representation Act

REAL UNIONS ANSWER TO WORKERS. FAKE UNIONS DON'T.

Some unions don’t answer to workers. They answer to the employer.
Bill C-259 - The Fair Representation Act gives workers a real way to take their power back.

Bill C-259 gives workers in federally regulated sectors a real way to challenge fake employer-dominated unions and protect democratic and independent union representation.

What’s at stake

Federal law already recognizes that employer-dominated unions should not exist. But once certified, workers are left with no practical, dedicated process to challenge that situation.

That gap matters. Because when workers lose trust in their representation, wages fall, working conditions weaken, and entire sectors are affected.

What this bill does

The Fair Representation Act:

• Creates a clear process for workers to act when they believe their union is not independent
• Allows workers to bring concerns to the Canada Industrial Relations Board
• Requires unions to demonstrate independence when challenged
• Gives the Board the authority to investigate and enforce findings
• Provides remedies where employer domination is found

What workers get

• A clear way to challenge employer influence
• Stronger accountability in union representation
• Protection for workers from being locked into undemocratic structures
• Stronger bargaining power across entire sectors

What real unions say

"Canada's Building Trades Unions strongly support Bill C-259. Representation matters and Canada’s unionized skilled tradespeople deserve unions that promote the wellbeing of workers, not employers.”
- Sean Strickland, Executive Director of Canada’s Building Trades Unions,

Why this matters now

This is not theoretical.

In recent years, multiple cases have raised serious concerns about employer influence in union representation. In some cases, workers have voted to leave employer-aligned unions entirely, seeking independent representation elsewhere.

At the same time, public funding has continued to flow into training and labour-related initiatives supporting these employer-influenced organizations that have faced serious questions about independence and accountability.

Workers deserve clarity about who represents them and whose interests are being served.

Have your say

Workers deserve representation they can trust.
Tell your MP to support Bill C-259.

Find your MP and contact information here: Who is my MP?

Tips for writing to your MP:

• Be respectful.
• Tell your MP that you are a constituent.
• Be direct - Ask your MP to vote for Bill C-259, The Fair Representation Act, in the first or second sentence. Example - I am writing today to request that you vote for Bill C-259, The Fair Representation Act.
• Offer reasons - Examples - I believe that unions should represent the interests of their workers and not be influenced by employers. Bill C-259 would give workers a process to act when they suspect their union is not representing their interests. Workers deserve clarity about who represents them and whose interests are being served.
• Ask your MP to reply to your email or letter and indicate how they will vote on Bill C-259.
• Include your full name, residential (voting) address, and phone number.

Watch: CPAC - NDP MPs Discuss Labour Protections Against Employer-Dominated Unions

Read: Rabble.CA - Curb that Yellow Dog! Private Members Bill targets employer-collusive unions