With Toronto transit workers days from a potential strike, Ontario's premier wouldn't say whether his government would legislate them back to work to avoid shutting down the city's public transportation system.
Asked on Wednesday whether his Progressive Conservative government would pass a law blocking Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) workers from striking, Premier Doug Ford said, "That's hypothetical — let's first hope, and pray, that they don't go on strike."
The TTC operates the city's transportation system, including its streetcars, subways and buses. If the TTC were to shut down, "it's gonna hurt the public."
"And anything that hurts the public, I'm not in favour of," Ford said.
"They should bargain in good faith, which they are — they're sitting around the table, and let's just avoid (a strike) at all costs," the premier added.
Ontario Labour Minister David Piccini echoed similar sentiments as the premier when he was asked at Queen's Park about a potentially looming strike.
"It's important that the collective bargaining process is respected, and we urge both parties to land a deal, and there's still time," Piccini said.
Nearly 12,000 TTC employees, including drivers, could strike on Friday, potentially shutting down the transit system just after midnight. It would represent a first in Toronto since 2008. That's partly because in 2011, while the Liberals were in power provincially, they passed a law deeming the TTC an essential service, taking away its workers' right to strike. That law was overturned by a court ruling last year — which was reinforced by an Appeal Court ruling last month.
