Humphrey Mitchell (Minister of Labour)
Liberal
Hon. HUMPHREY MITCHELL (Minister of Labour):
Mr. Speaker, during the debate on the motion to go into supply on Tuesday evening of this week, I stated, as will be noted on page 866 of Hansard, that I had been informed the 9,000 coal miners on strike in western Canada would return to work the next morning. That was the information which came to my office from Calgary.
The latest reports we have in connection with this matter are that following the decision of the district executive board at its meeting on Tuesday to recommend to the local unions a return to work, the members of the board returned to their own districts to place before the locals this recommendation. Meetings were held yesterday and to-day in various points, but no votes on the recommendation have yet been taken and it is not anticipated that these votes will be taken before Saturday or Sunday.
Although it cannot be forecast with any certainty, I am informed there is every indication that work will be resumed next Monday.