Consultation Process Ongoing Regarding Potential Amendments to the Canada Labour Code

The federal government has initiated a consultation process on potential policy measures and legislative amendments to the Canada Labour Code (the “Code”). These potential measures and amendments are intended to support a modern and fair labour relations framework, including a modernized collective bargaining framework and increased support and protections for workers. These potential changes would affect federally regulated industries and workplaces covered by the Code.   

Consultation Process

The government is currently engaging with stakeholders to gather feedback through targeted in-person and virtual roundtables, discussions during existing forums, and written submissions. Stakeholders involved include First Nations, Inuit and Métis governments and rights holders, employers and employer representatives, and unions and employee groups. The federal government indicated that it will publish the input received during the consultation process in a “What We Heard” report and will carefully analyze the input to inform policy decisions. 

Measures under consideration to modernize the collective bargaining framework include:

• revising the timelines for direct bargaining;
• revising the conciliation and cooling off timelines;
• revising the timeline for notice of strike or lockout;
• creating a new special mediator role;
• reviewing section 107 (which provides additional powers to the Minister of Labour regarding the promotion of industrial peace);
• assessing examples of bargaining approaches from other jurisdictions; and
• introducing expedited grievance arbitration provisions.

Measures under consideration to strengthen labour relations and support for workers include:

• exploring training supports for workers impacted by automation and artificial intelligence;
• strengthening protections against misclassification and wage theft;
• strengthening workplace health and safety protections, and working on labour mobility to harmonize training standards and regulations;
• extending successor rights in cases of contract retendering;
• sustaining the Wage Earner Protection Program to ensure its integrity; and
• other potential changes to the Code that could help better support fair and safe outcomes for workers. Participants can also submit opinions and perspectives on other measures.

The proposed measures were developed in consideration of recommendations made in the May 2025 Industrial Inquiry Commission report on labour relations issues at Canada’s West Coast ports and in consideration of labour relations practices from international and provincial partners.

Deadline for Written Submissions

The deadline to provide written submissions is approaching on May 25, 2026. Submissions can be provided to esdc.nc.labour.consultations-travail.nc.edsc@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca.

For more information, see: Consultation Document: Building Canada Strong for All – Powered by Canada’s Workers.