Labour’s final argument
In her opening remarks, counsel for the Defendant told the Court that there is an elephant in the room.
The Plaintiffs agree. The Government put it there.
It is a very large and menacing elephant. Sometimes it just sits there, threatening to get involved if it does not like what it sees. Sometimes, it gets very involved and aggressive and changes everything. In either case, it is substantially interfering.
The elephant should not be in the room. It must be removed.
And the Government needs to compensate for the cost of the mess the elephant made and the damage it caused.
That’s how Labour’s written argument began. And although I was already getting mighty sick of elephants in the room, I thought – oh ya, this is going to be good.
FINAL ARGUMENTS FINALLY BEGIN


The Manitoba Federation of Labour v. The Government of Manitoba
We are here. Final arguments. The grand finale of any trial. This is the time for the lawyers to shine – telling us, and most importantly, the judge, why their client is right, why they should win. It’s advocacy on steroids, and it’s clear that the lawyers, who were pacing excitedly in the hallway before court started, are suitably pumped.
Labour brought the case, so they are up first.
Getting around
My summary of Labour’s final argument is really long. Not surprising. Shannon and Garth’s written version was 305 pages. (You can read their whole thing for yourself here.)
To make it easier, I have split Labour’s argument into four separate parts, with four separate posts.
As always …. Enjoy!
labour’s final argument
i. the law – Bends towards workplace justice
ii. the evidence – a cornucopia of wrongdoing
iii. The experts – on collective bargaining
iv. the wrap-up – and a nice big bow
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
When you are finished with all those pages, I have a little aside – Butt-First Buffoonery, before we move into the real fun in The Government’s Final Argument – the final advance of Brian’s Angry Elephants …