FIRST REPORT OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON LAW AMENDMENTS Fourth Session Fifty-eighth Legislative Assembly of the Province of New Brunswick December 5, 2017 MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE Hon. Mr. Rousselle, Q.C., Chair Mr. Albert, Vice-Chair Mr. Doherty Mr. Bernard LeBlanc Mr. Bertrand LeBlanc Mr. Chiasson Ms. LeBlanc Mr. Flemming, Q.C. Mr. Fairgrieve Mr. Holder Mr. Wetmore December 5, 2017 To The Honourable The Legislative Assembly of The Province of New Brunswick Mr. Speaker: I have the pleasure to present herewith the First Report of the Standing Committee on Law Amendments for the session. The report is the result of your Committee’s deliberations on Bill 4,

An Act to Amend the Industrial Relations Act, the subject matter of which was referred to your Committee for consideration. On behalf of the Committee, I wish to thank those individuals and organizations who appeared before the Committee. In addition, I would like to express my appreciation to the members of the Committee for their contribution in carrying out our mandate. Your Committee begs leave to make a further report. Respectfully submitted, Hon. Serge Rousselle, Q.C., M.L.A. Chair December 5, 2017 To The Honourable The Legislative Assembly of The Province of New Brunswick Mr.

Speaker: Your Standing Committee on Law Amendments begs leave to submit their First Report of the session. On October 25, 2017, Bill 4,

An Act to Amend the Industrial Relations Act, was introduced in the Legislative Assembly. The purpose of the proposed legislation is to introduce amendments to the Act to include first contract arbitration as an accessible remedy for workers and employers when bargaining has reached an impasse. First contract arbitration is an alternative to the disruption associated with work stoppages and is intended to assist the parties with the settlement of a first collective agreement.

On November 7, 2017, consideration of the subject matter of Bill was referred by resolution of the House to the Standing Committee on Law Amendments. On November 14, 2017, your Committee met and determined that certain organizations should be invited to provide input to the Committee with respect to the issues raised by Bill 4. On November 21, 2017, your Committee met with representatives from the Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour; CUPE NB; Unifor; the New Brunswick Federation of Labour; the New Brunswick Nurses’ Union and the Canadian Federation of Independent Business.

In addition, Restaurants Canada; the Retail Council of Canada; the Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association; J.D. Irving, Limited; the Saint John Construction Association Inc.; the Electrical Contractors Association of New Brunswick and the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce submitted written briefs. The Committee met again on November 28, 2017, to consider the input received and to formulate a recommendation to the House. RECOMMENDATION Your Committee recommends Bill 4,

An Act to Amend the Industrial Relations Act, as presented in the House. 1