TORONTO - Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak says he will not campaign on making Ontario a so-called right-to-work province in the next provincial election.
The issue of making union membership and payment of dues optional caused public rifts with Conservative candidates and internal dissent within Hudak's caucus, with fears the anti-labour policy could cost the party the next election.
The right-to-work policy, which U.S. President Barack Obama famously called "the right-to-work for less", was a key part of a Conservative policy discussion paper and was approved by party delegates at a convention last fall.
Hudak's change of heart comes after the party lost the Niagara Falls byelection last week to the New Democrats, who were supported by union activists who flooded the riding to rally against the policy.
After weeks of waffling on the controversial issue, Hudak announced the major climbdown during a speech this morning to the Toronto Board of Trade.
