Federal Government Considering Equal Pay Protection for Employees in Air Transportation Sector

The Labour Program of the federal government is seeking input on the development of a regulation under section 47.3 of the Canada Labour Code (Successive Contracts for Services) which currently applies only to contract pre-board security services employees. It is proposing extending the application of that equal pay provision to include other federally regulated employees…

Federal Government to Study Further Changes to Canada Labour Code

Following recent amendments to the Canada Labour Code, the federal Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour has announced the creation of an expert panel tasked with the study of additional matters relating to the “changing nature of work.” This expert panel is to report back to the Minister by June 30, 2019 on the…

Amendments to Complaints and Appeals Provisions of the Canada Labour Code to Come into Force on April 1, 2019

The federal government has proclaimed April 1, 2019 as the coming into force date for certain provisions[1] of Bill C-44, the Budget Implementation Act 2017, No. 1 which amend a number of provisions in the Canada Labour Code. For details on the changes to be implemented under Bill C-44, refer to our Federal Post article…

Federal Court Finds Release Signed upon Termination Not a Bar to Unjust Dismissal Complaint

The Federal Court recently upheld a decision of an adjudicator made under the Canada Labour Code (Code) that an agreement and release signed by an employee whose employment with a bank was terminated did not act as a bar to her unjust dismissal application. The employee had received a lump sum payment and had released…

The Right to Disconnect and More: Final Federal Post of 2018

In this smartphone and email-intensive world, should there be a “right to disconnect”? In our final Federal Post of 2018, George Vuicic looks at this question, which was discussed in the federal government’s recent report on modernizing federal labour standards. Find out what’s happening on the legislative front. Kim Pepper reviews new legislation requiring the…

Federal Government Proposes Significant Workplace Law Reforms

On October 29, 2018, the federal government tabled Bill C-86, the Budget Implementation Act, 2018, No. 2, omnibus legislation giving effect to certain initiatives in its 2018 Federal Budget. If passed, the Bill will make substantial changes to the Canada Labour Code and enact a federal Pay Equity Act, among other things. For federally regulated…

Sexual Harassment in the Workplace [Video]

In this #MeToo world, it is important that employers address issues relating to sexual harassment in the workplace in a timely and proactive manner. In this video, Nadine Zacks outlines several best practices for employers, ranging from the development of robust policies to leading by example. She also discusses the importance of providing training to employees and the need to act promptly when responding to allegations of harassment.

Federal Government Reviewing Consultation Feedback on Modernizing the Canada Labour Code

On August 30, 2018, the federal government published “What We Heard: Modernizing Federal Labour Standards” (Report), in which it reviews the results of a ten-month consultation process with employers, unions, employees, academics and other stakeholders on modernizing the Canada Labour Code (Code) to better reflect the needs of a 21st century workforce.