Commission on the Reform of Ontario's Public Services

Principles
1. The labour relations system in Ontario should be balanced, effective and transparent.
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It should respect the interests of both employers and employees; help to provide value to
citizens receiving public services; and be seen to do both these things.
2. Collective bargaining agreements that are negotiated between the parties are preferred to
settlements or outcomes that are either legislated or arbitrated.
3. Accountability for labour relations and service delivery outcomes should be appropriately
distributed. Governments, BPS employers and bargaining agents need to bear appropriate
levels of responsibility for bargaining outcomes. Broader public-sector management and
employees need to bear appropriate levels of responsibility for delivering high-quality
public services and value for public money.
4. Broader system changes should be part of a larger vision, in which labour relations play a
part, but are not an end in themselves.