ILWU Canada leaders are objecting to a new security plan that could bar port workers from employment who are suspected of being security threats.  Along with the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, ILWU Canada says the new governmental powers are dangerous and could be abused.  The new law would allow any dockworker to be prohibited from working if there are “reasonable grounds to suspect” they pose a threat to port security.

ILWU Canada President Tom Dufresne says that changes are needed to make the law more fair and reasonable.  “We want Parliament to vote on the plan, and there should be due-process protections for workers,” he explained.

“It’s not fair for any worker to lose a job because of possibly faulty information or bad intelligence, especially if there’s no way to challenge errors or have decisions reviewed by an independent official,” said Dufresne.