Ottawa Prepares New Labour Legislation After Months of Consultation
Ottawa Prepares New Labour Legislation After Months of Consultation
OTTAWA — The federal government is preparing to introduce legislation aimed at changing Canada's labour relations framework after months of consultations with unions, employers and other stakeholders.
The proposed changes would amend the Canada Labour Code and could affect federally regulated workplaces across industries including transportation, banking, telecommunications, rail and air travel.
The government completed consultations this summer under its “Building Canada Strong for All” initiative. A report released September 9 said the feedback will help shape legislation intended to modernize federal labour relations and strengthen protections and supports for workers. The government says legislation is expected to be introduced in the next sitting of Parliament.
Among the measures considered during the consultations are faster grievance-arbitration procedures, stronger protections against wage theft and worker misclassification, and changes to workplace health and safety protections.
The government has also been examining ways to support workers affected by artificial intelligence and automation, as well as proposals that would allow union rights to continue when contracts are retendered.
Another issue under review is the federal government's ability to intervene in labour disputes. The consultations examined possible changes to Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code, which gives the federal labour minister certain powers during disputes.
The Canadian Labour Congress has raised concerns about potential restrictions on collective bargaining and the right to strike. The organization has called for stronger protections against wage theft and misclassification, faster grievance arbitration and safeguards involving artificial intelligence and workplace surveillance.
Jobs and Families Minister Patty Hajdu has said the government intends to consider the feedback received from both employers and workers. She has also stated that Ottawa will not compromise workers' right to strike or bargain collectively as it considers changes to federal labour law.
The consultations involved more than 100 unions, labour organizations, employer associations and other organizations. The government said it received 319 written submissions and held 13 targeted roundtables during the consultation process.
The federal government's proposed reforms come as Canada's economy faces changes linked to automation, artificial intelligence, supply-chain pressures and shifting international trade conditions.
The legislation will provide the first detailed look at which proposals Ottawa intends to adopt and how they would change the rules governing federally regulated workplaces.
Until the bill is formally introduced in Parliament, however, many of the proposed changes remain subject to revision.
For workers and employers covered by federal labour law, the upcoming legislation could represent one of the more significant updates to Canada's labour relations framework in years