Pierre Poilievre - Silencing Dissent through Intimidation

In 1946, Justice Rand determined that even though employees working in a unionized work environment were not required to join the union they were required to pay union dues because all workers in the workplace benefited from the contract negotiated by the union on the workers behalf regardless of their membership status.

Recently career politician Pierre Poilievre Conservative MP for the riding of Nepean-Carleton proposed that we all jump in our time machines and travel back to 1946 to reverse the Rand decision.  His reason, some of his constituents have complained to him about a public sector union's political activity.  Poilievre can often be counted on for knee jerk reactions that over simplify complicated issues and this case is no different.

A more reasoned response would be to recognize that unions are democratic organizations where the leadership is elected by the members.  And like all democracies

• not all members actively participate i.e. vote
• not all members agree with the outcome of the vote

But reason is not Poilievre's strong suit his reaction is to use legislation to bully the unions into silence by threatening their financial stability is  a dangerous one and not just for unions.  For any democracy to thrive dissenting opinions MUST be allowed to be voiced without fear of retribution.




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