Feds set to make major changes to Canada’s labour code

POLITICS Feds set to make major changes to Canada’s labour code By Sean Previl Global News Posted September 20, 2026 1:45 pm Updated September 20, 2026 1:46 pm 4 min read WATCH: Liberals to propose major labour code changes LEAVE A COMMENT SHARE THIS ITEM ON FACEBOOK SHARE THIS ITEM ON X SEND THIS PAGE TO SOMEONE VIA EMAIL SEE MORE SHARING OPTIONS DESCREASE ARTICLE FONT SIZE INCREASE ARTICLE FONT SIZE The Liberal government is expected to propose major changes to Canada’s labour code as MPs return to Parliament Hill for the fall sitting this week. One of the first bills to be presented would change the Canada Labour Code to alter the government’s power to intervene in strikes and lockouts. Government House Leader Steven MacKinnon told reporters recently the focus is not on preventing the right to strike. “What we want to do is make achieving collective agreements easier,” he said. “We want to put federal resources at the disposition of those parties and, you know, really rare cases where we have chronic problems.” The change is expected to affect Section 107 of the labour code, a tool that in recent years has been used to stop or curb work stoppages in key industries. STORY CONTINUES BELOW ADVERTISEMENT Last summer, Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu used the section to order binding arbitration hours after Air Canada flight attendants hit the picket line, referring the dispute to the Canadian Industrial Relations Board. Flight attendants ignored the order and stayed on strike until a deal was reached days later. Hajdu said on Saturday no government wants to intervene in a strike and gave few details about plans to amend the code, adding the government already has the power to intervene. “The point is to reduce the times that the government is forced to solve the problem for employers and unions,” she said. Unions and business leaders have spoken out about the section. 8:34 Carney makes several economic announcements during keynote address at Toronto investment summit Stick to the Facts Add Global News as a Preferred Source on Google to see more of our stories in your search results. Bea Bruske, president of the Canadian Labour Congress, said the right to strike is in the national interest. STORY CONTINUES BELOW ADVERTISEMENT “Any new power to prevent or shut down a legal strike, including before it begins, would weaken that power. Canada needs workers with our elbows up, not our hands tied,” Bruske said in a statement. Get daily Montreal…