Backgrounder: Industrial Inquiry Commission Terms of Reference

The Minister of Labour, pursuant to the provisions of section 108 of the Canada Labour Code, appoints Mr. Vincent Ready and Ms. Amanda Rogers as an Industrial Inquiry Commission to:

Examine with the active involvement of the parties, the structure, and the processes of collective bargaining between the British Columbia Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Canadian Area, including but not limited to:

1. the unique application of geographic certification on the West Coast;
2. their coverage of employers and employees;
3. whether a tiered bargaining structure distributing issues between central and other tables would be appropriate;
4. whether reforms to the internal governance and decision-making structures of the parties could assist in reducing the likelihood of work stoppages; and
5. whether there may be voluntary collective bargaining dispute resolution processes, ad hoc or standing, such as mediation-arbitration that might assist the parties in resolving recurring issues arising between them;

and recommend in a final report to the Minister of Labour whether any changes should be made and, if so, how they could be implemented, including through the application of or amendments to the Canada Labour Code provisions concerning the structures, rights, responsibilities, and obligations of parties to collective bargaining.

The final report shall be submitted to the Minister no later than beginning of May 2025.