Article content

OTTAWA — A group of Conservative senators has helped to significantly alter a bill backed by their own government.

The private members Bill C-377, would force unions to publicly disclose any expenses over $5,000.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Tory senators criticize union disclosure bill backed by their own government Back to video

It has been criticized as unconstitutional on the grounds it treads on provincial jurisdiction.

Tory Senator Hugh Segal became one of its most vocal critics and proposed an amendment to limit the bill’s scope to only the largest unions and not to branches and locals.

It has passed with the help of 15 other Conservatives.

Another six Tories abstained, leaving less than half the government bench voting to keep the bill intact.