NDP MPPs introduce Anti-Scab Legislation

QUEEN’S PARK— NDP MPPs France Gélinas (Nickel Belt), Wayne Gates (Niagara) and Jamie West (Sudbury) are re-introducing the Anti-Scab Labour Act, 2026 in the Ontario Legislature.

“Scab labour hurts people, families, and communities,” said MPP Gélinas. “The use of scab labour leads to longer strikes and lockouts. The time has come to close this loophole and ban the use of replacement workers like they did in Quebec and British Columbia decades ago. This is the 17th time the NDP has introduced this bill and it’s time to make it the law.”

“Our bill prevents an employer from replacing striking or locked-out employees with scab replacement workers,” said MPP West. “Bringing in replacement workers lengthens these labour disputes and undermines the effectiveness of workers who collectively agree to withdraw their labour. Using scab labour takes advantage of desperate people. It uses them to create divides in our communities and then leaves them behind. We will continue to stand alongside workers and stand for the right to collective bargaining. We encourage others to support our workers by voting in favour of this vital bill.”

“Over and over again, we have seen this Conservative government trample on workers’ rights when workers are locked out, and employers use scab labour to do their jobs,” said MPP Gates. “There is no incentive for employers to bargain in good faith, or at all, if they can simply replace locked out workers with scab workers. The Ford Conservative government spends a lot of time saying they stand up for workers. Now is the time to do that and pass this bill.”