Canada: Employee Rights/ Labour Relations

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Employment law and labour law articles and thought leadership, podcasts, videos and webinars from expert sources across the legal world. Explore articles covering topics such as Discrimination, Employee Benefits and Compensation, Health and Safety, Unfair/Wrongful Dismissal, Whistleblowing, Employment Rights, Outsourcing and Redundancy.
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Hiring International Graduates In Canada: PGWP Rules And Permanent Residence Pathways
International graduates are employed across a wide range of industries in Canada. One of the key temporary work permit categories that enables international graduates to work in Canada is the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). Understanding how the PGWP works and the potential pathways to permanent residence that may be available to international graduates can help businesses make informed hiring decisions and develop appropriate employee retention strategies. While many international graduates hope to obtain permanent residence, eligibility depends on a range of factors, including the immigration program requirements in effect at the time of application.
Canada Immigration
Gs
Green and Spiegel
Article
Accommodating Temporary And Seasonal Employees: Legal Tips For Summer Staffing
Summer is peak season for many Ontario employers. Tourism operators, restaurants, retail stores, camps, agricultural businesses, and recreation facilities all rely heavily on temporary and seasonal workers to meet demand. While these roles may be short‑term, the legal obligations toward these employees are anything but casual. Ontario’s employment and human rights laws apply to temporary, seasonal, part‑time, as well as full‑time staff.
Canada Employment
PH
Piccolo Heath
Article
Important Changes Coming For Federally Regulated Employers
Federally regulated employers in Canada face significant changes to employment law, including new equal pay requirements that mandate identical wages for employees performing substantially similar work regardless of full-time, part-time, permanent, or temporary status. Additionally, proposed legislation threatens to ban non-compete clauses and other employment restrictions for most workers, with limited exceptions for C-suite executives and business sale scenarios.
Canada Employment
C
Cassels
Article
Managing Operational Risk In Manufacturing Through Workplace Investigations
Ontario manufacturing leaders often view workplace investigations as purely legal obligations, but they serve a more critical function: managing operational risk before issues escalate into costly disruptions. Early investigations can identify problems like harassment or safety violations that initially appear as production slowdowns or increased absenteeism, protecting both workforce stability and operational continuity.
Canada Employment
LL
Lerners LLP
Article
Services Assurant Le Bien-être De La Population Et Droit De Grève : Une Première Au Québec
En décembre 2025, le gouvernement du Québec a adopté des modifications substantielles au Code du travail (le « C.T. »), se dotant ainsi de leviers accrus pour encadrer l’exercice du droit de grève lorsque celui-ci est susceptible d’affecter de manière importante le bien-être de la population. Ces changements ont notamment instauré un nouveau régime de maintien des services assurant le bien-être de la population, conférant des pouvoirs élargis au gouvernement et au Tribunal administratif du travail (le « TAT »).
Canada Employment
L,
Langlois Lawyers, LLP
Article
Court Of Appeal Upholds Three-year Employment Commitment Following Business Sale Despite Termination Clause
Explore critical developments in Canadian employment law, from non-compete clause prohibitions and AI disclosure requirements to pay transparency mandates and evolving leave entitlements. These insights examine how recent legislative changes and court decisions are reshaping workplace obligations for employers across federal and provincial jurisdictions.
Canada Employment
OH
Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP
Article
Second Positive Drug Test Justified Termination For Cause: Ontario Court Reinforces Safety-Sensitive Workplace Policies
Ontario courts have long held that dismissal for cause is reserved for the most serious workplace misconduct. A recent Superior Court decision demonstrates that employers can successfully defend just cause terminations in safety-sensitive positions when they maintain clear policies, consistently enforce them, and carefully consider human rights obligations before taking action.
Canada Employment
C
CCPartners
Article
Ontario, Canada Hospitality Employment Law Update – 5 Key Compliance Considerations For 2026
Ontario's hospitality industry faces evolving employment law challenges as recent legislative changes introduce new requirements for job postings, wage practices, and uniform policies. Restaurant operators must navigate complex obligations around gratuities, scheduling, and onboarding while maintaining compliance with the Employment Standards Act and emerging workforce protection measures.
Canada Employment
LM
Littler Mendelson
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