MPs pull all-nighter discussing Canada Post

Members of Parliament pulled an all-nighter, Thursday, as discussions on the proposed back to work legislation for Canada Post workers continued.

Parliament was supposed to break for summer, Thursday, in time for Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day in Quebec. However, some people are predicting the talks to continue into Saturday or even longer. The consensus does seem to be that we will be here until at least Saturday, says Prince George-Peace River MP Bob Zimmer.

Zimmer says the opposition is doing most of the talking on the bill and the Conservatives have only been asking questions, when necessary. He says if the Conservatives spoke more on the bill, its passage would be delayed even further.

The back to work legislation was introduced into the House, Monday, and Labour Minister Lisa Raitt had said she was amenable to changes.

The NDP is opposed to parts of the bill that set wages and strict arbitration guidelines.

Zimmer says the Conservatives are trying to be fiscally responsible in the long-term, whereas he feels the NDP, as a labour party, is more concerned with what the union wants, rather than the Canadian people.

Once the bill is passed in the House, it must still get Senate approval and Royal Assent before it can become law.

– with files from the Canadian Press