Description: A Conservative backbench MP’s private member’s bill would force unions to open their books.

Source: The Globe and Mail

Date: 10/02/2011

Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/conservatives-set-to-table-bill-forcing-unions-to-open-books/article2188247/?from=sec368

Related links:

• Windsor Star story, with union reaction
• Opinion piece by the Fraser Institute
• Global News story
• CBC blog post
• Text of the bill

Questions for discussion:

• Private members’ bills rarely become law. What reasons are there to think this bill might be different?
• Usually, when the government wants to amend a law it introduces a government bill. Why might this case be different?
• Consider the arguments in the Fraser Institute article and the union comments in the Windsor Star piece. Which do you feel are most convincing?
• Which arguments do you feel are less convincing?
• If you were an MP, would you vote for this bill? Why or why not?