Bank of Canada Hires Third-Party Security During Strike

The Bank of Canada is using a third-party security company to fill gaps left by striking workers, setting up a potential legal showdown over Canada's newly minted anti-scab legislation.

About 60 security officers, mostly based in Ottawa, walked off the job on June 23 to fight concessions on scheduling rights and cuts to parental leave benefits. The Bank responded by locking out some PSAC members in Montreal and, on June 26, brought in replacement security staff — a move the union says violates the federal anti-scab law that took effect on June 20, 2025.

The Canada Industrial Relations Board heard the dispute on June 29. The legislation amended the Canada Labour Code to ban federally regulated employers from using contractors to replace striking workers, but it's unclear when a ruling will come.

Patrick Tessier, the local vice-president for the bargaining committee, said five PSAC members crossed the picket line to continue working. "The folks out here took it really, really hard," he said, pointing to the sacrifice members are making to fight against what they see as threats to work-life balance and family life.

Alex Silas, the national executive vice-president at PSAC and himself a former Bank of Canada security officer, said the union prepared a case against the Bank's actions. "There's supposed to be a federal anti-scab law in this country," he said. "Scabs do nothing but delay reaching a deal between the union and the employer."

The Bank of Canada did not confirm or deny the use of third-party security or that it asked workers to cross the picket line. In a statement, it said it was "ensuring that all critical operations are continuing" and that facilities are protected. "The Bank respects the collective bargaining process and is ready to negotiate a fair agreement at any time," it added.

Tessier noted there has been no bargaining day since the dispute began. "We're ready to play the long game," he said.