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Labour Program Forward Regulatory Plan: 2026 to 2028

This Forward Regulatory Plan informs the public of regulatory initiatives the Labour Program aims to propose or finalize in the next 2 years through:

The Forward Regulatory Plan may also include regulatory initiatives the Labour Program plans to bring forward over a longer time frame. Interested parties may comment or make inquiries using the contact information included with each regulatory initiative.

Regulatory initiatives

The Labour Program’s 10 regulatory initiatives under development are presented by the following categories:

Note: Consequential amendments to the Administrative Monetary Penalties Regulations under Part IV of the Canada Labour Code may accompany or follow new statutory or regulatory requirements, if required. Schedules I and II of these Regulations designate and classify each obligation under Part II and Part III of the Canada Labour Code and the associated regulations, based on the severity of the violation. The classification determines the base amount of the administrative monetary penalty and, in certain circumstances, when public naming may occur.

Labour Standards

Amending the Canada Labour Standards Regulations – Equal Treatment and Temporary Help Agencies

Enabling acts

The Canada Labour Code (the Code) and the Budget Implementation Act, 2018, No. 2 provide authority for this proposed regulatory initiative.

Description

The objective of these regulations is to support amendments to Part III of the Code not yet in force. The regulations intend to ensure equal treatment and compensation for employees, including those in precarious work.

The amendments to the Code 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 Code also include authorities to make regulations:

  • modifying requirements
  • exempting classes of employees, and
  • defining terms regarding equal treatment and temporary help agency provisions

The Code amendments will come into force on a day determined by order of the Governor in Council.

Potential impacts on Canadians, including businesses

These regulations may incrementally increase compliance and administrative costs. The "one-for-one" rule and/or the small business lens may apply.

Regulatory cooperation efforts (domestic and international)

This regulatory initiative is not part of a formal bilateral agreement.

Consultations

The Labour Program held initial regulatory consultations between June and August of 2019 with stakeholders from federally regulated industries, including employer and employee representatives.

To inform the development of the regulations, the Labour Program launched an additional consultation with stakeholders between December 21, 2021, and February 21, 2022. Submissions received during this consultation have been assessed and regulatory development is underway.

The proposed regulations were pre-published in Part I of the Canada Gazette in February 2025. Final regulations are projected to be published in Part II of the Canada Gazette in spring 2026.

Consequential amendments

This initiative will result in consequential amendments to Schedule 2 of the Administrative Monetary Penalties (Canada Labour Code) Regulations.

Further information

Consult Acts and Regulations for further information on acts and regulations administered by the Labour Program.

Departmental contact information

Danijela Hong
Director General
Workplace Directorate, Labour Program
danijela.hong@labour-travail.gc.ca

Date the regulatory initiative was first included in the Forward Regulatory Plan

April 1, 2020

Amending the Canada Labour Standards Regulations – Right to Disconnect Policy Provisions

Enabling acts

Amendments to the Canada Labour Code (the Code) contained in the Budget Implementation Act, 2024, No. 1 provide authority for this proposed regulatory initiative.

Description

The objective of these regulations is to support amendments to Part III of the Code that, once in force, will require all federally regulated private-sector employers and federal Crown corporations, in consultation with employees or their unions, to issue Right to Disconnect (RTD) policies that include a general rule respecting work-related communication outside of scheduled hours of work, any exceptions to the rule, and the underlying rationale of these rules and exceptions.

Additionally, the legislation prohibits an employer or person acting on behalf of an employer to intimidate, dismiss, penalize, discipline, or otherwise take reprisals against an employee, or threaten to take any such action against an employee, because the employee:

  • asks the employer to comply with the policy
  • makes inquiries about their rights under the policy
  • files a complaint under the policy; or
  • exercises or attempts to exercise a right under the policy

The legislation also establishes regulatory authorities to define and specify the elements of the RTD policy. These include, but are not limited to:

  • defining terms and requirements related to the RTD policy
  • clarifying that certain activities, such as work-related communication, may be considered part of an employee's scheduled hours of work
  • addressing whether communication outside scheduled work hours may violate rules concerning rest periods or notice of shift and schedule changes; and
  • adjustments to the Canadian Labour Standards Regulations to support compliance and enforcement

At this time, only administrative regulatory amendments to record-keeping requirements and administrative monetary penalty schedules are planned.

Employers will have one year after the coming into force of the legislative and regulatory changes to comply with the new provisions and develop their internal RTD policies.

Potential impacts on Canadians, including businesses

These regulations may incrementally increase compliance and administrative costs. The "one-for-one" rule and/or the small business lens may apply.

Regulatory cooperation efforts (domestic and international)

This regulatory initiative is not part of a formal bilateral agreement.

Consultations

Stakeholders will have an opportunity to comment on the proposed regulations when they are pre-published in Part I of the Canada Gazette. The pre-publication date of the proposed regulations in Part I of the Canada Gazette has yet to be determined.

On conclusion of the public comment period, final regulations are expected to be published in Part II of the Canada Gazette on a date yet to be determined.

Consequential amendments

This initiative will result in consequential amendments to Schedule 2 of the Administrative Monetary Penalties (Canada Labour Code) Regulations

Further information

Consult Acts and Regulations for further information on acts and regulations administered by the Labour Program.

Departmental contact information

Danijela Hong
Director General
Workplace Directorate, Labour Program
danijela.hong@labour-travail.gc.ca

Date the regulatory initiative was first included in the Forward Regulatory Plan

December 6, 2024

Amending the Administrative Monetary Penalties Regulations (Canada Labour Code)

Enabling acts

The Administrative Monetary Penalties (Canada Labour Code) Regulations are made pursuant to Part IV of the Canada Labour Code (the Code).

Description

The 2024 Fall Economic Statement and Budget 2025 highlighted the need to strengthen protections for Canadian workers against wage theft. Therefore, the Labour Program will be consulting the stakeholders on increasing the administrative monetary penalties imposed on federally regulated employers who commit wage theft.

Additionally, the Labour Program is reviewing the Administrative Monetary Penalties (Canada Labour Code) Regulations to ensure penalty amounts are consistent and effectively deter labour standards and occupational health and safety violations.

The Labour Program will consult stakeholders and Indigenous partners on proposed changes to the administrative penalty amounts.

Potential impacts on Canadians, including businesses

There may be potential impacts on Canadians, including businesses. The “one-for-one” rule and/or the small business lens may apply.

Regulatory cooperation efforts (domestic and international)

This regulatory initiative is not part of a formal bilateral agreement.

Consultations

In 2026, the Labour Program will consult stakeholders and engage Indigenous partners to seek their views regarding the proposed regulatory amendments.

The proposed regulations are expected to be pre-published in Part I of the Canada Gazette in fall 2026, with comments invited from the public.

On conclusion of the public comment period, final regulations are expected to be published in Part II of the Canada Gazette in 2027, with the exact timeline to be determined.

Further information

Consult Acts and Regulations for further information on acts and regulations administered by the Labour Program.

Departmental contact information

Danijela Hong
Director General
Workplace Directorate, Labour Program
danijela.hong@labour-travail.gc.ca

Date the regulatory initiative was first included in the Forward Regulatory Plan

October 24, 2025

Occupational Health and Safety

Regulations Amending Certain Regulations Made Under the Canada Labour Code (Sound Levels)

Enabling act

The Canada Labour Code (the Code) provides authority for this proposed regulatory initiative.

Description

The objective of the proposed regulatory initiative is to address health and safety requirements for sound levels by reflecting current best practices on noise control and hearing loss prevention programming. The initiative will also aim to facilitate compliance with the proposed regulations by:

  • updating the references to outdated standards and making them ambulatory (as amended from time to time)
  • reducing the risk of hearing impairment by updating exposure limits and thresholds
  • requiring employers to implement a hearing loss prevention program, and
  • clarifying ambiguous regulatory text

Amendments would be made to the following regulations:

Potential impacts on Canadians, including businesses

There may be potential impacts on Canadians, including businesses. The “one-for-one” rule and/or the small business lens will apply.

Regulatory cooperation efforts (domestic and international)

The proposed regulatory initiative aligns with one of the Government’s priorities to remove interprovincial labour mobility barriers. It would harmonize the OHS references to technical standards regarding hearing protection, thereby meeting Canada’s commitment under the 2019 National Occupational Health and Safety Reconciliation Agreement. Additionally, the new occupational noise exposure limit that is being introduced would align with the limit that currently exists in all 13 provinces and territories in Canada.

Consultations

The Labour Program held preliminary consultations with targeted external stakeholders in May 2019, August 2019, and January 2020.

Targeted consultations with external stakeholders, including employer and employee representatives, representing federally regulated industries were held in fall 2020.

A questionnaire was circulated to stakeholders, including stakeholders in the marine and oil and gas industries in winter and spring 2023. Similarly, a questionnaire was circulated within the aviation industry in January 2024.

Stakeholders have a further opportunity to comment on the proposed regulations which were pre-published in Part I of the Canada Gazette in March 2026.

On conclusion of the public comment period, the final regulations are expected to be published in Part II of the Canada Gazette in fall 2026.

Consequential amendments

This regulatory initiative will result in consequential amendments to Schedule 1 of the Administrative Monetary Penalties (Canada Labour Code) Regulations.

Further information

Consult Acts and Regulations for further information on acts and regulations administered by the Labour Program.

Departmental contact information

Danijela Hong
Director General
Workplace Directorate, Labour Program
danijela.hong@labour-travail.gc.ca

Date the regulatory initiative was first included in the Forward Regulatory Plan

August 30, 2019

Regulations Amending Certain Regulations Made Under the Canada Labour Code (Personal Protective Equipment)

Enabling act

The Canada Labour Code (the Code) provides authority for this proposed regulatory initiative.

Description

The objective of the proposed regulatory initiative is to address health and safety requirements for personal protective equipment (PPE) by addressing inconsistencies across the five occupational health and safety regulations. This will help address labour mobility barriers in Canada. The focus for this initiative will include updating references to technical standards and the correction of inconsistent terminology (for example, the use of protective vs. protection equipment) and ensuring that PPE fits employees properly despite varying body dimensions and individual needs.

Amendments would be made to the following regulations:

Potential impacts on Canadians, including businesses

There may be potential impacts on Canadians, including businesses. The “one-for-one” rule and/or the small business lens may apply.

Regulatory cooperation efforts (domestic and international)

The proposed regulatory initiative aligns with one of the Government’s priorities to remove interprovincial barriers to labour mobility. It would harmonize the references to technical standards regarding fall protection equipment, protective headwear, protective footwear, and eye and face protection equipment, thereby meeting Canada’s commitment under the 2019 National Occupational Health and Safety Reconciliation Agreement, and the 2021 Pan Canadian Occupational Health and Safety Reconciliation Agreement.

Consultations

A questionnaire was circulated to stakeholders, including stakeholders in the marine and oil and gas industries in winter and spring 2023. Stakeholders will have a further opportunity to comment on the proposed regulations when they are pre-published in Part I of the Canada Gazette which is anticipated in spring 2026.

On conclusion of the public comment period, the final regulations are expected to be published in Part II of the Canada Gazette in fall 2026.

Consequential amendments

This regulatory initiative will result in consequential amendments to Schedule 1 of the Administrative Monetary Penalties (Canada Labour Code) Regulations.

Further information

Consult Acts and Regulations for further information on acts and regulations administered by the Labour Program.

Departmental contact information

Danijela Hong
Director General
Workplace Directorate, Labour Program
danijela.hong@labour-travail.gc.ca

Date the regulatory initiative was first included in the Forward Regulatory Plan

December 14, 2022

Amending the Nuclear Exclusion Regulations

Enabling act

The Canada Labour Code (the Code) provides authority for this proposed regulatory initiative.

Description

There are 5 main objectives of the proposed regulatory initiative:

  1. update definitions, titles, and references in both the new Ontario and New Brunswick nuclear exclusion regulations, including removing reference to Ontario Hydro and Point Lepreau from the respective regulations
  2. harmonize the right to refuse dangerous work for Facility Fire Brigade members working at nuclear power plants across Canada
  3. repeal the Ontario uranium mine exclusion order
  4. repeal the four nuclear exclusion regulations related to Ontario and replace them with one new regulation encompassing the same provisions that are currently included, and
  5. update the remaining exclusion regulations for clarity

Amendments would be made to the following regulations:

Potential impacts on Canadians, including businesses

The proposed regulations would not impact Canadian small businesses. The proposed amendments would not impose administrative burden on business. This proposal would result in a net reduction of four regulations counted under the "one-for-one" rule.

Regulatory cooperation efforts (domestic and international)

The Labour Program has been engaging with representatives from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission and the provinces of Ontario, New Brunswick, and Saskatchewan to discuss changes to the regulations regarding nuclear power plants and uranium mines.

Consultations

The Labour Program held consultations with concerned stakeholders in summer 2019.

Additional consultation sessions with industry stakeholders were held in September 2023.

The proposed amendments were pre-published in Part I of the Canada Gazette for public comments in April 2024.

The Labour Program has analyzed the feedback received and is considering options for the advancement of this initiative. The date of publication of the regulations in Part II of the Canada Gazette will be determined at a later time.

Consequential amendments

This regulatory initiative will not require consequential amendments to Schedule 1 of the Administrative Monetary Penalties (Canada Labour Code) Regulations.

Further information

Consult Acts and Regulations for further information on acts and regulations administered by the Labour Program.

Departmental contact information

Danijela Hong
Director General
Workplace Directorate, Labour Program
danijela.hong@labour-travail.gc.ca

Date the regulatory initiative was first included in the Forward Regulatory Plan

August 30, 2019

Amending the Oil and Gas Occupational Safety and Health Regulations – Updating Provisions and Standards

Enabling act

The Canada Labour Code (the Code) provides authority for this proposed regulatory initiative.

Description

The objective of amending the Oil and Gas Occupational Safety and Health Regulations (OGOSHR) is to update outdated provisions and standards. These include:

Potential impacts on Canadians, including businesses

There may be potential impacts on Canadians, including businesses. The “one-for-one” rule and/or the small business lens may apply.

Regulatory cooperation efforts (domestic and international)

Regulatory cooperation efforts are ongoing with Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) and the Canada Energy Regulator (CER).

Consultations

Many regulatory amendments to OGOSHR sections are being made through other initiatives. These other amendments will harmonize, update and correct multiple provisions, which intersect with this initiative.

Stakeholders will have an opportunity to comment on the proposed regulations when they are pre-published in Part I of the Canada Gazette. The pre-publication date of the proposed regulations in Part I of the Canada Gazette has yet to be determined.

Consequential amendments

This regulatory initiative will be reviewed for consequential amendments to Schedule 1 of the Administrative Monetary Penalties (Canada Labour Code) Regulations.

Further information

Consult Acts and Regulations for further information on acts and regulations administered by the Labour Program.

Departmental contact information

Danijela Hong
Director General
Workplace Directorate, Labour Program
danijela.hong@labour-travail.gc.ca

Date the regulatory initiative was first included in the Forward Regulatory Plan

October 1, 2015

Regulations Amending Certain Regulations Made Under the Canada Labour Code (First Aid Kits)

Enabling act

The Canada Labour Code (the Code) provides authority for this proposed regulatory initiative.

Description

The objective of the proposed regulatory initiative is to align health and safety requirements for the types and contents of first aid kits that employers provide in their workplaces with the requirements of CSA Standard Z1220, First aid kits for the workplace. This initiative would further contribute to reducing regulatory burden and red tape for federally regulated employers. Amendments would be made to the following regulations:

Potential impacts on Canadians, including businesses

There may be potential impacts on Canadians, including businesses. The “one-for-one” rule does not apply; however, the small business lens applies.

Regulatory cooperation efforts (domestic and international)

The regulatory initiative aligns with one of the Government's priorities to remove interprovincial barriers to labour mobility. By making this amendment, federal OHS regulations will be harmonized with the first aid kit regulatory requirements of the provinces and territories. The proposed regulatory initiative will support the federal government's obligations under the National Occupational Health and Safety Reconciliation Agreement (the 2019 Agreement) developed by the Reconciliation and Cooperation Table (RCT) established under the Canada Free Trade Agreement. The 2019 Agreement requires all signatories to reference the CSA Standard Z1220, First aid kits for the workplace, within their OHS regulations.

Consultations

Members of the Occupational Health and Safety Committee (OHSAC), the Canadian Marine Advisory Council, and members of the Canadian Trucking Alliance were consulted on this initiative between June 2025 and January 2026.

Stakeholders will have a further opportunity to comment on the proposed regulations when they are pre-published in Part I of the Canada Gazette in spring 2026.

On conclusion of the public comment period, the final regulations are expected to be published in Part II of the Canada Gazette in fall 2026.

Consequential amendments

This regulatory initiative will be reviewed for any consequential amendments to Schedule 1 of the Administrative Monetary Penalties (Canada Labour Code) Regulations.

Further information

Consult Acts and Regulations for further information on acts and regulations administered by the Labour Program.

Departmental contact information

Danijela Hong
Director General
Workplace Directorate, Labour Program
danijela.hong@labour-travail.gc.ca

Date the regulatory initiative was first included in the Forward Regulatory Plan

October 24, 2025

Employment Equity

Amending the Employment Equity Regulations – Administrative Changes

Enabling act

The Employment Equity Act provides authority for this proposed regulatory initiative.

Description

The objective of the proposed regulatory initiative is to achieve the following:

  • streamline reporting requirements
  • provide clarification on current requirements including elements to use when completing mandatory reporting forms
  • clarify how data is to be used and updated
  • update an obsolete reference
  • improve self-identification rates
  • reduce compliance burden and red tape, and
  • clarify obligations related to record retention

These amendments will help regulated entities better understand the Employment Equity Regulations (EER) and avoid possible misinterpretation. This will be done by:

  • providing clarification on current requirements and contents of reporting forms, and
  • clarifying obligations related to record retention

These amendments will also help regulated entities improve self-identification rates by providing more flexibility in defining designated groups on the self-identification questionnaires provided to employees. As well, these amendments will reduce the compliance burden associated with employment systems reviews and employment equity plans by requiring employers to limit employment systems reviews to only those occupational groups and designated groups for which gaps in representation have been identified. This initiative contributes to reducing regulatory burden and red tape for federally regulated employers.

Amendments would be made to the Employment Equity Regulations.

Potential impacts on Canadians, including businesses

There may be potential impacts on Canadians, including businesses. The “one-for-one” rule and/or the small business lens may apply.

Regulatory cooperation efforts (domestic and international)

This regulatory initiative is not part of a formal bilateral agreement.

Consultations

The Labour Program will engage with regulated entities in 2026, and provide the opportunity for feedback on the proposed changes.

Publication in Part I of the Canada Gazette is expected in summer 2026. Publication in Part II of the Canada Gazette is expected in fall 2026.

Consequential amendments

This regulatory initiative will not result in any consequential amendments to any other legislation or regulation.

Further information

Consult Acts and Regulations for further information on acts and regulations administered by the Labour Program.

Departmental contact information

Zia Proulx
Director General
Federal Programs, Labour Program
zia.proulx@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca

Date the regulatory initiative was first included in the Forward Regulatory Plan

December 6, 2024

Cross-cutting

Amending Various Regulations to Reduce Administrative Burden on Federally Regulated Employers

Enabling acts

The Canada Labour Code (the Code) provides authority for this proposed regulatory initiative.

Description

The objective of the proposed regulatory initiative is to achieve the following:

  • clarify and simplify record keeping and reporting requirements
  • reduce administrative burden and red tape, and
  • update any obsolete provisions

By reducing the administrative burden on federally regulated employers, these amendments will help advance the Budget 2025 commitment to review regulations with the aim of cutting regulatory and operational red tape. They will also support meeting the Red Tape Reduction Act requirement to offset, within two years, any new burden introduced through amended or new regulations.

Amendments would be made to certain provisions in various regulations under the Code.

Potential impacts on Canadians, including businesses

There will be potential impacts on Canadians, including businesses. The "one-for-one" rule and small business lens will apply.

Regulatory cooperation efforts (domestic and international)

This regulatory initiative is not part of a formal bilateral agreement.

Consultations

The Labour Program will consult stakeholders and Indigenous partners on proposed regulatory amendments in 2026.

In light of the fact that this initiative is strictly intended to provide regulatory burden relief, an exemption from publishing in Part I of the Canada Gazette may be granted, in which case the final regulations are expected to be published in Part II of the Canada Gazette in 2027.

Further information

Consult Acts and Regulations for further information on acts and regulations administered by the Labour Program.

Departmental contact information

Danijela Hong
Director General
Workplace Directorate, Labour Program
danijela.hong@labour-travail.gc.ca

Date the regulatory initiative was first included in the Forward Regulatory Plan

April 7, 2026

Page details

2026-04-07