The federal government is amending the Canada Labour Standards Regulations to ensure equal treatment and compensation for employees, including those in precarious work. The Canada Labour Code (the CLC) and the Budget Implementation Act, 2018, No. 2 provide authority for this proposed regulatory initiative.
The objective of the Regulations Amending the Canada Labour Standards Regulations is to support amendments to Part III of the CLC not yet in force. The amendments to the CLC include the following equal treatment provisions:
- Prohibiting differences in rates of wages based on the employment status of employees;
- Protecting temporary help agency employees from unfair practices; and
- Entitling all employees, regardless of their employment status, to be informed of employment and/or promotion opportunities.
The proposed amendments to Part III of the CLC also include authorities to make regulations:
- Modifying requirements;
- Exempting classes of employees; and
- Defining terms regarding equal treatment and temporary help agency provisions.
CLC amendments will come into force on a day determined by the order of the Governor in Council.
The proposed regulations are expected to be pre-published in Part I of the Canada Gazette in fall 2023. On the conclusion of the public comment period, final regulations would be published in Part II of the Canada Gazette in 2024.
This initiative will result in consequential amendments to Schedule 2 of the Administrative Monetary Penalties (Canada Labour Code) Regulations.