Targeted Consultations on Building Canada Strong for All – Powered by Canada’s Workers
Current status: Closed
This consultation ran from April 17, 2026, to May 25, 2026. Only organizations invited by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) could participate.
The Government of Canada launched consultations to gather views on a series of potential policy measures and/or legislative amendments to the Canada Labour Code. The feedback will inform the Government’s approach to strengthening the federal labour relations, including enhancing collective bargaining processes and bolstering supports for workers.
Who was the focus of this consultation
The Government of Canada engaged with targeted stakeholders, including:
- unions and employee organizations linked to federally regulated sectors
- employers and employer associations linked to federally regulated sectors
- Indigenous partners and organizations
Key points for discussion
Invited participants were encouraged to share their views on measures being considered to strengthen the collective bargaining framework, labour relations and supports for workers:
- 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 of the Canada Labour Code
- assessing examples of bargaining approaches from other jurisdictions
- introducing expedited grievance arbitration provisions
- exploring training supports for workers impacted by artificial intelligence and automation
- 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 (WEPP) to ensure its integrity
- other potential changes to the Canada Labour Code that could help better support fair and safe outcomes for workers. Participants can also submit opinions and perspectives on other measures.
The input gathered through this process will be published online in a "What We Heard" report.
Consultation document
Related information
- News release: Government of Canada launches consultations to strengthen labour relations and better support workers
- Overview of the parts of the Canada Labour Code and how they apply to your workplace
- Canada Labour Code
- Wage Earner Protection Program for an employee: Overview
- Wage Earner Protection Program Act
Contact us
Labour Program (Employment and Social Development Canada)
Place du Portage, Phase II
165 de l'Hôtel-de-Ville Street
Gatineau QC J8X 3X2