Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak said Friday he would not rule out legislating a public-sector pay freeze if he is elected premier on Oct. 6.

Hudak was reacting to anti-PC election ads paid for by the union-funded group Working Families Coalition. The ads describe Hudak and his party as “risky change we can’t afford.”

Hudak said if the ads help the Liberals win, public-sector unions will want payback when it comes to time to bargain for new contracts.

“Million-dollar smear campaigns don’t come cheap,” Hudak told CBC on Friday.

“[There will be] unions on one side of the table and political parties who are elected on union money on the other side of the table,” he predicted.

Hudak has talked about reigning in public salaries during the campaign. But up until Friday he has stopped short of saying he would use legislation to keep public sector wages in check.

Legislation would be used as a 'last resort'

He said such legislation would only be used as a “last resort” in the event union demands become unreasonable.

“If these groups are not responsible, you have to consider any tool at your disposal,” he said.

“Our first resort is open negotiations, bring their ideas to the table, we’ll look for responsible leadership, but I won’t rule out any tools.”

It’s unclear whether a legislated public-sector pay freeze would survive a legal challenge.

Four years ago, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that unionized public-sector workers have a right to collective bargaining.