If forced union membership violates Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms then why is it mandatory for so many unionized provincial civil servants and private sector employees across Canada to also become a union “Member” or be fired?

In the 27 countries of the European Union and the 47 countries of the larger Council of Europe, forced union membership as a condition of employment is an illegal violation of human rights. So is taking dues from unionized employees who do not join the union that represents them and using them for political purposes. This is the result of 26 years of human rights litigation culminating in judgments in 2006 and 2007 from the European Court of Human Rights.

John Mortimer, President, Canadian LabourWatch Association

No. It's just one more way unions deny employee rights

Jack Layton, Leader of the Federal NDP

Yes. It preserves the integrity of collective bargaining