The Government of Canada publishes final regulations on changes to federal labour standards for work-integrated learning

News release

July 8, 2020              Ottawa, Ontario              Employment and Social Development Canada

The Government of Canada knows that when we invest in young Canadians, we invest in our future. Internships are one of the many important ways youth can develop the skills and gain the practical, hands-on experience they need to find good‑quality jobs. That is why the Government of Canada continues to move forward with changes, including those put forward in the Budget Implementation Act, 2017, No. 1, to strengthen pay protections and regulations for work-integrated learning in federally regulated workplaces.

Today, the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister of Labour, announced that the Standards for Work-Integrated Learning Activities Regulations are now published in Part II of the Canada Gazette. The legislative changes and the Regulations are scheduled to come into force on September 1, 2020.

The Government of Canada is committed to making sure that Canadian employers in federally regulated workplaces, student interns, educational institutions and associations have the support and resources needed to understand the new requirements, as well as their rights and obligations. These parties are all encouraged to consult the available online resources, or contact the Labour Program, in advance of the coming into force date. Additional resources will also be available in the coming months.

The Regulations build on other efforts to date to protect young workers, including anti-harassment and violence legislation such as: An Act to amend the Canada Labour Code (harassment and violence), the Parliamentary Employment and Staff Relations Act and the Budget Implementation Act, 2017, No. 1.

Quotes

“Young people play a vital role in our society as they help shape Canada’s workplaces with new ideas and experiences. That is why the Government is committed to providing them with the support and protections they need.”
– The Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister of Labour

Quick facts

  • Amendments to Part III of the Canada Labour Code, introduced by the Economic Action Plan 2015 Act, No. 1 (Bill C-59) and amended by the Budget Implementation Act, 2017, No. 2 (Bill C-63), received Royal Assent in December 2017.

  • Interns will also be protected from workplace harassment and violence, including sexual harassment, when legislation (Bill C-65) comes into force on January 1, 2021.

Contacts

For media enquiries, please contact:
Dustin Fitzpatrick
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Filomena Tassi, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Labour
819-654-5611
dustin.fitzpatrick@labour-travail.gc.ca

Media Relations Office
Employment and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
media@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
Follow us on Twitter

Page details

Date modified: