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Question: Question:
Over your 20-year career, what are you most proud of? What do you see as the single-biggest issue in the upcoming
election?
Rodger Cuzner:
I was really proud to be part of Prime Minister Jean Chretien’s Rodger Cuzner:
team when the decision was made not to join George Bush’s When I see what’s going on in parts of the world, specifically south
condition of the willing, to join the intervention in Iraq. of the border and in the U.K., I find the rise in populism really
unsettling. And groups like Canada Proud and such continue to
Serving as his Parliamentary Secretary, the P.M. told other world
promote a constant stream of misinformation.
leaders that without a U.N. resolution to take action, Canada
would not join up. Canada has long been a symbol for progressive government, a
country that believe in inclusion, respect and diversity. We cannot
There was immense pressure from Conservatives and Stephen
and should not take that for granted and the single biggest issue
Harper; however Mr. Chretien did not relent. He knew Canadians
will be for Canadians to push aside nonsense, recognize the
were a nation that believed in a multilateral approach in such
progress that has been made and fight for those core Canadian
issues and that the American initiative would lead to further
values.
destabilization of the region. The vast majority of Canadians
believe he chose right. Social media is a powerful tool but we are seeing a rise in the
manipulation of it by those driving an unhealthy populist agenda.
Question:
We all have to step up.
You have been a long-time friend and supporter to the Building
Trades. What has helped you maintain that relationship, and Question:
likewise allowed the Building Trades to maintain your support? You recently undertook a major review of Service Canada to
reduce wait times. What did you find out and can Canadians
Rodger Cuzner:
expect improvements?
In 2011, having received his first majority government, Prime
Minister Stephen Harper set his sights on attacking organized Rodger Cuzner:
labour in Canada. His backbench M.P.’s introduced private When I first took office, E.I. payments were taking 3-5 weeks to
members bills C-377 and C-525 that were aimed specifically at be processed and for workers to receive support. Over 10 years
Canadian Unions and their ability to function. of Conservative rule we saw changes that slowed that process in
some cases, to 6-8 weeks.
We worked hard to develop a relationship and trust with all unions
but having been a past member of LIUNA Local 92, there was The Conservatives shut down processing centres and call centres
probably a natural affinity to the Building Trades. Plus, I felt laying off 600 employees; they did away with the E.I. Board of
comfortable that we shared similar beliefs, that we could develop Referees for appeals; they invested nothing in new technical
our resources as a country, respect the environment, but provide infrastructure and referred to people who work in seasonal
good quality jobs for Canadians. industries as repeat offenders.
I was fortunate to have a great legislative assistant in Joel Bowen We knew we could do better. The Conservatives placed a freeze
who worked with me to earn that trust. Our 2015 platform had a on full time hiring for employees, so our study showed a constant
very aggressive labour agenda and we have delivered on most; churn of newly trained staff, moving to other departments to
banning asbestos, improving pensions, changing O.A.S. eligibility secure permanent positions. The turnover rate in one office was
back to 65 from 67 where the Conservatives placed it, signing off 35% annually. We have hired back almost 300 new staff and lifted
on ILO provision guaranteeing workers the right to organize plus the freeze which has reduced turnover. The 2017 budget made
much more. significant investments in the telephone system and computer
system.
I am confident that labour leaders and most rank and file members
believe they have been respected by our government and that their Recently Minister Duclos announced the creation of the
concerns are taken seriously. If I played any part in creating and Employment Insurance Boards of Appeal, a tripartite decision-
maintaining that trust, I’m proud of that. making tribunal to deal with first level E.I. appeals.

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