"Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist"
This line from a poem by Martin Niemöller, an outspoken critic of Adolf Hitler and his anti-democratic tactics and the Jewish genocide, is distressingly appropriate to consider today, Canada Day.
While we celebrate our freedoms, such as the freedom to associate and collectively bargain for working conditions, there is a nasty and petty bill before the Senate that is un-Canadian in its intent to remove some freedoms from unionized Canadians.
You don't have to be a union member to take offence.
Bill C-377 is a Conservative private member's bill that is attempting to eviscerate privacy rules for unions and employee associations while other groups, such as privately-held companies, clubs, groups and employer associations, are protected.
The bill before the Senate this week would require unions to disclose to the Canada Revenue Agency details of any spending over $5,000 and salaries over $100,000 for posting online.
Proponents say it's in the public interest because union dues are tax deductible but groups as diverse as the National Hockey League Players' Association and the Canadian Bar Association say it's an invasion of privacy. Union members — i.e., the people whose money is being spent — already have access to the information.
Simply, this bill is an attempt to embarrass unions that are involved in political activities.
Sadly, it's the discredited Senate, with its own problems with expense rules and oversight, that has the last say, with the Conservative majority shutting down debate to ram through the legislation.
Some might say it's appropriate because Canada is already a nanny state. But this kind of snooping only targets unions and employee groups but is surprisingly mum on expenditure and salary disclosure rules for private corporations and other groups that benefit from taxpayer subsidies and may also make political donations.
Yes, this bill is just a cynical vote-getting ploy but it will affect a large number of Canadians, not just union members and supporters, who could lose their privacy rights if they do business or contract work with a union.
What group is the Stephen Harper Conservatives' next target — people who like to wear plaid?
Sadly, it's the discredited Senate, with its own problems with expense rules and oversight, that has the last say, with the Conservative majority shutting down debate to ram through the legislation.
On Canada Day of all days, we say: How very un-Canadian.
