Employer News

1. Minister O’Regan releases the What We Heard Report on Developing Greater Labour Protections for Gig Workers 

   Every day, more and more Canadian workers are taking on gig work—casual work arrangements involving specific and often one-off tasks, frequently through digital platforms.

2. Federal minimum wage rising to $16.65 on April 1

   Every Canadian deserves a real and fair chance at success. Yet some Canadian workers still struggle financially while working part-time, temporary and low- or minimum-wage jobs.

3. Free Webinar Explores How Climate Change Affects the Workplace

   The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) is hosting a free webinar, Climate Change: Workplace Impacts to explore how climate change affects both our physical and mental health and safety in the workplace.

4. Government of Canada invests in training for information and communication technology workers

   Canada is home to world-class information and communication technology (ICT) talent in research and development and in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing and virtual reality.

5. Government of Canada invests in training for workers in a net-zero economy

   Supporting our economy for future generations will mean supporting the creation of jobs and positioning Canadians to take advantage of new opportunities.

6. Focus on Prevention for International Repetitive Strain Injury Awareness (RSI) Day

   The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) is reminding workplaces to use International Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) Awareness Day (RSI Day) on February 28, 2023, as an opportunity to raise awareness about these injuries and share prevention methods. 

7. Upgrades to Stone Hearth Bakery help nourish community

   New equipment improves product quality, increases production, and creates inclusive employment opportunities

8. Government of Canada to announce support for a community organization in Halifax

   Government of Canada to announce support for a community organization in Halifax

9. Minister O’Regan to highlight Canada’s work to create fair, safe and equitable work environments as part of the launch of M-POWER

   Minister O’Regan to highlight Canada’s work to create fair, safe and equitable work environments as part of the launch of M-POWER

10. 10 days of paid sick leave now in force for nearly 1 million federally regulated workers across Canada

    Last year, the Government of Canada committed to providing 10 days of paid sick leave for workers in the federally regulated private sector. Access to paid sick leave keeps workers safe while ensuring that they do not lose pay— because no one should have to choose between staying home when they're sick or paying their bills.

11. Women’s Entrepreneurship Day

    The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Official Languages and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), made a statement about Women’s Entrepreneurship Day on November 19, 202.2

12. $10-a-day child care becoming a reality for families in Nunavut in December 2022

    For too long, families have faced high monthly child care fees, long waitlists and a lack of child care options. Now, more than ever, increased access to high-quality, affordable, flexible and inclusive child care is crucial to meet the needs of children and make life more affordable for families across Canada.

13. Minister Qualtrough visits training centre developing Canada’s next generation of skilled workers

    The skilled trades are essential to Canada’s economy. Few industries are as essential to Canadians’ everyday lives. Smart investments are needed to support Canadians from all backgrounds in taking up apprenticeship training now, and to help kick-start lucrative careers in well-respected skilled trades.

14. Minister Qualtrough will visit a training centre developing Canada’s next generation of skilled workers 

    The Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, Carla Qualtrough, will be in Ottawa to highlight funding for the Canada Building Trades Union; a financial commitment that continues to support small and medium-sized enterprises in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador.

15. Global Entrepreneurship Week

    Today the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Official Languages and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), made a statement about Global Entrepreneurship Week, which runs November 14-20, 2022.

16. Mi’kmaw non-profit connects Indigenous youth with jobs of the future

    Government of Canada helps Cape Breton organization maintain training in trades and STEM

17. Government of Canada to announce support for training programs in trades and STEM for Indigenous youth

    Government of Canada to announce support for training programs in trades and STEM for Indigenous youth

18. Government of Canada invests in skills training in the aerospace sector

    Government of Canada invests in skills training in the aerospace sector

19. Minister O’Regan announces final regulations to bring 10 days of paid sick leave into force 

    Last year, the Government of Canada introduced 10 days of paid sick leave to the Canada Labour Code to better protect workers, their jobs and their families. Access to paid sick leave keeps workers safe while ensuring that they do not lose pay—because no one should have to choose between staying home when they’re sick or paying their bills.

20. Minister O’Regan announces final regulations to bring 10 days of paid sick leave into force 

    Minister O’Regan announces final regulations to bring 10 days of paid sick leave into force

21. Technical briefing on upcoming changes to the Canada Labour Code to provide 10 days of paid sick leave

    Technical briefing on upcoming changes to the Canada Labour Code to provide 10 days of paid sick leave

22. Minister’s Statement Small Business Week

    Today, the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Official Languages and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), made the following statement about Small Business Week, which runs October 16-22, 2022

23. Government of Canada one step closer to ensuring free access to menstrual products in federally regulated workplaces

    Menstrual products are a basic need and are essential to upholding Canadians’ sexual and reproductive health and rights, as well as to ensuring women’s participation in school, work and society. Yet, one in three Canadians who need pads, tampons or other menstrual products struggle to afford them. To make life more affordable and workplaces more equitable, the Government of Canada is proposing to strengthen regulations under the

24. Backgrounder - Brandon Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation Apprentice Incentive Program

    Apprenticeships offer a great way to get the hands-on work experience needed to pursue a career in the skilled trades. Employers play a fundamental role in Canada’s apprenticeship systems, however many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) do not always have the resources to offer apprenticeship training opportunities.

25. Government of Canada announces funding for Project 10 to advance equality for 2SLGBTQI+ people 

    Equality is achieved when organizations come together to strengthen collaboration, increase access to information, and implement change that benefits everyone.

26. International Equal Pay Day Statement 

    Today, the Minister of Labour, Seamus O’Regan Jr., issued the following statement to recognize International Equal Pay Day

27. Minister Qualtrough announces new investments in youth-driven projects on International Youth Day 2022 

    The Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, Carla Qualtrough, will be in Vancouver to announce funding for projects led by youth in partnership with organizations, to improve accessibility and disability inclusion in their communities.

28. Government of Canada helps Saskatchewan workers develop the skills they need to succeed in today’s workforce 

    Canada’s economic recovery is well underway. We have recovered 115% of the jobs lost during pandemic. In fact, our economic growth is beginning to outpace the ability of some employers to find workers.

29. Celebrating the one-year anniversary of the signing of the Canada-Quebec Asymmetrical Agreement on the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Component

    The Government of Canada recognizes Quebec’s leadership in early learning and child care.

30. Government of Canada invests in foundational skills training for workers in Manitoba

    Canada’s economic recovery is well underway. We have recovered 115% of the jobs lost during pandemic. In fact, our economic growth is beginning to outpace the ability of some employers to find workers. The country has faced shifting demographics, new technologies, and different practices, such as gig and part-time work. New sectors like green technology are growing rapidly. The ways we work, such as teleworking and digitalization, are creating more options for people. Now, more than ever, it’s critical that workers have the foundational and transferable skills they need to adapt, and thrive in the evolving workforce of today.

31. Atlantic Canada’s Premiers and Federal Ministers Renew Atlantic Growth Strategy Priorities

    Sustained economic growth in Atlantic Canada requires strong federal-provincial collaboration. Atlantic premiers and federal ministers are focused on addressing current and emerging issues to support the long-term economic growth in small and large communities across the region. .

32. Minister Qualtrough to announce new investments in skills training for workers in Manitoba

    The Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, Carla Qualtrough, will be joined by the Honourable Jim Carr, Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South Centre, in Winnipeg, to announce a federal investment in a new local initiative that will provide skills training to workers in Manitoba.

33. Atlantic Canada Federal Ministers and Premiers to hold media availability following Atlantic Growth Strategy Leadership Committee Meeting

    The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities, the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Official Languages and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), and the Honourable Andrew Furey, Premier Newfoundland and Labrador, will hold a press conference following a meeting of the Atlantic Growth Strategy Leadership Committee.

34. Government of Canada takes a step toward making 10 days of paid sick leave a reality

    No one should have to choose between staying home when they’re sick or being able to afford rent and groceries. However, as the pandemic has highlighted, too many Canadians have little or no access to paid sick leave. On December 17, 2021, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Canada Labour Code (Bill C-3) received Royal Assent. This bill amends Part III of the Canada Labour Code to provide 10 days of paid sick leave to federally regulated private sector workers.

35. Statement by Minister Ien and Minister Qualtrough on World Youth Skills Day

    The Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, Marci Ien, and the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, Carla Qualtrough, issued the following statement today on World Youth Skills Day:

36. Backgrounder on World Youth Skills Day investments in skills and innovation projects

    Young people and students have a pivotal role to play in Canada’s economic recovery and future growth. In the run-up to World Youth Skills Day on July 15, the Government of Canada is highlighting the importance of equipping young people with the skills they need and remains committed to helping them gain relevant experience for an evolving job market.

37. Federal, provincial and territorial ministers meet to mark progress and advance shared priorities in early learning and child care 

    Federal, provincial and territorial ministers most responsible for early learning and child care gathered today to advance shared priorities in early learning and child care. The meeting takes place one year after the federal government signed the first Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement with British Columbia.

38. Government of Canada invests in projects focused on skills and innovation 

    The Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, Marci Ien, will announce in Scarborough important investments to help young Canadians get the skills and training they need to get good quality jobs.

39. Minister O’Regan meets with provincial and territorial counterparts to discuss labour shortages and better support for workers across Canada 

    Today, Minister of Labour, Seamus O’Regan Jr., met virtually with provincial and territorial labour ministers to discuss priorities in workplaces across Canada and collaboration with all levels of government to better support workers.

40. Government of Canada to make an announcement on innovative Early Learning and Child Care practices in Manitoba

    Government of Canada to make an announcement on innovative Early Learning and Child Care practices in Manitoba

41. Minister O’Regan and Minister Boissonnault to hold a press conference with Alberta Federation of Labour President Gil McGowan

    The Honourable Seamus O’Regan Jr., Minister of Labour, will be in Edmonton to participate in a roundtable discussion with union representatives. They will discuss how government and unions can work together to create good jobs and strong communities through Canada’s energy transition. The Minister will be accompanied by the Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance, and Gil McGowan, President of the Alberta Federation of Labour.

42. CIPO releases its 2020−2021 Annual Report

    The Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO)’s Annual Report 2020-2021 is a factual and concise story of CIPO’s key achievements, structured around the strategic priorities from CIPO’s Five-Year Business Strategy 2017–2022. The report is tabled in Parliament by the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development on a yearly basis.

43. National Indigenous Peoples Day

    The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Official Languages and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), made the following statement about National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21:

44. Government of Canada helps to create more than 25,000 apprenticeship positions across Canada

    The skilled trades are at the centre of Canada’s economic recovery. Few industries are as essential to Canadians’ everyday lives. Smart investments are needed to support Canadians from all backgrounds in taking up apprenticeship training now, and kick-starting lucrative careers in well-respected skilled trades.

45. Backgrounder: Apprenticeship Service

    Apprenticeships offer a great way to get the hands-on work experience needed to pursue a career in the skilled trades. Employers play a fundamental role in Canada’s apprenticeship systems, however many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) do not always have the resources to offer apprenticeship training opportunities.

46. Major call for proposals launched to connect persons with disabilities with good jobs  

    Persons with disabilities continue to face barriers in finding and keeping employment and many are unable to participate fully in Canadian society and the economy. That is why the Government of Canada is working with partners and the disability community to invest in programs and services that will help to increase the accessibility of workplaces and connect persons with disabilities to skills training and good jobs.

47. Minister Carla Qualtrough to announce new federal investments in the skilled trades

    The Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, Carla Qualtrough, will announce significant, new federal investments in the skilled trades while delivering remarks at the National Apprenticeship Conference in Halifax.

48. Investing in youth employment opportunities throughout New Brunswick 

    Canada’s economy and future prosperity depends on young people being able to get good, well-paying jobs now and into the future. That is why the Government of Canada is making historic investments in young people, to ensure they have the supports, skills and opportunities needed to build long and successful careers.

49. Backgrounder: Youth Employment and Skills Strategy and Canada Summer Jobs 2022 in New Brunswick

    The YESS, which is delivered by 12 departments and agencies across the Government of Canada, aims to provide more flexible employment services and enhanced supports to all young Canadians. Funding is provided to organizations that deliver a range of activities to help youth overcome barriers to employment and develop a broad range of skills and knowledge in order to participate in the current and future labour market. In 2021-22, the YESS Program helped about 45,000 youth.

50. Government of Canada to announce support for organizations in Dartmouth

    Government of Canada to announce support for organizations in Dartmouth