Ottawa looks for feedback on modernizing federal labour standards

Online consultations open until Jan. 31

Ottawa looks for feedback on modernizing federal labour standards
Stakeholders are being consulted through a series of roundtables with representatives from key sectors and groups. REUTERS/Chris Wattie

 

Canadians have an opportunity to share their views on how federal labour standards should be updated to better reflect and respond to the new reality of evolving workplaces as the government launches online consultations.

The consultations, open until Jan. 31, include a survey and a space to share stories about what it's like to work in Canada today. The government will be looking at:

  • What makes a good quality job in Canada today?
  • How common is precarious work in Canada today? What are the effects of precarious work on you and your family, or your organization?
  • What types of labour protections are provided in your workplace?
  • What are your experiences with job security or insecurity, and access to benefits?
  • Which updates to federal labour standards would have the greatest impact on you?
  • Which labour standards help promote good quality jobs?

In addition, stakeholders are being consulted through a series of roundtables with representatives from key sectors and groups. Academics and other experts are being consulted via an online discussion forum.

Federal labour standards establish the basic rights (such as hours of work, wages, leaves, and holidays) of employees in federally regulated industries, such as banking, telecommunications and interprovincial and international transportation.

"Ensuring that Canadians can continue to count on a robust and modern set of federal employment standards is critical to their success. I encourage all Canadians to participate in this consultation so that we can develop modern employment standards that work for everyone,” said Patty Hajdu, minister of employment, workforce development and labour.

The federal government has already taken steps to modernize the Canada Labour Code, including more modern compliance and enforcement provisions, the right to request flexible work arrangements; new leaves; and the limiting of unpaid internships in federally regulated sectors. These amendments, which recently received Royal Assent, will come into force as soon as the necessary regulations are in place.

The labour standards survey can be taken here: https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/programs/employment-standards/federal-standards/consultation-modern-labour-standards.html.

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