New Metro Child Care Spaces to Support Recruitment and Retention in Health Care

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Source: Newfoundland & Labrador - Government Releases
Date: 2026-10-30 12:40:16.0
Tags: [Newfoundland and Labrador, Healthcare, Education, Social Services, Labour]

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is investing $1 million through the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement to fund up to 72 new child care spaces at the Unity Health Centre on Stavanger Drive in St. John's, operated by YWCA St. John's. Announced by Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Paul Dinn and Health and Community Services Minister Joedy Wall, the project provides priority access to all health care professionals to support workforce recruitment and retention. NL Health Services and YWCA St. John's endorsed the initiative, noting it will particularly assist workers requiring shift work and support gender equity in the labour market.

Legislation to Amend the Fair Registration Practices Act Passes Third Reading

Source: Newfoundland & Labrador - Government Releases
Date: 2026-10-29 21:20:12.0
Tags: [Newfoundland and Labrador, Labour, Governance, Immigration]

Legislative amendments to the Fair Registration Practices Act have passed third reading in the House of Assembly in Newfoundland and Labrador. Introduced by Minister of Jobs, Growth and Rural Development Lin Paddock, the amendments transition the list of regulatory bodies covered under the statute into regulations to enhance flexibility and responsiveness. This statutory change enables the Provincial Government to more swiftly incorporate regulatory bodies, comply with interprovincial labour mobility commitments, and reduce regulatory red tape without requiring individual amendments to the act for each body added or removed. The core purpose of the Fair Registration Practices Act and the public protection mandates of independent regulatory bodies remain unchanged.

Competition Bureau chief urges limits on non-compete clauses for workers

Source: Global News Politics
Date: 2026-10-29 17:35:50.0
Tags: [National, Ontario, Labour, Economy]

Interim Commissioner of Competition Jeanne Pratt sent a letter on October 29 calling on provincial and territorial governments to limit the use of non-compete clauses to foster more competitive labour markets. Citing an OECD survey showing Canada has one of the highest prevalence rates of non-compete clauses—covering between 29 and 39 percent of private-sector employees, with 30 percent of firms applying them to all employees regardless of role—the Competition Bureau highlighted negative impacts on wage growth, job mobility, and entrepreneurship. The federal government committed in its 2025 budget to restricting non-compete agreements, while Ontario remains the only province to have enacted a statutory ban through its Employment Standards Act in 2021, which prohibits most new employment non-competes except for senior executives and the sale of a business.

Stelco must recall laid off workers ‘immediately,’ Joly says in new letter

Source: Global News Politics
Date: 2026-10-29 14:04:23.0
Tags: [National, Ontario, Industry, Labour, Trade]

Federal Industry Minister Mélanie Joly issued a letter on October 29, 2026, demanding that parent company Cleveland-Cliffs and Stelco immediately recall approximately 500 workers laid off at the Hamilton steel plant, or face potential legal action under Section 39 of the Investment Canada Act that could lead to forced divestiture. Joly rejected an interim compliance report submitted by Stelco on October 26 as unsatisfactory. Stelco initiated the layoffs in early October due to reduced operations, offering alternative positions at its Lake Erie facility, which the United Steelworkers union notes has only accommodated about 40 of the affected employees.

Joly says she will meet with Stelco owner if company gives 'concrete' plan to bring workers back

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-29 13:55:47.0
Tags: [National, Ontario, Economy, Trade, Labour, Industry]

Federal Industry Minister Mélanie Joly issued a letter to Paul Simon, president of Stelco, stating she will only meet with the company and its American parent firm, Cleveland-Cliffs, if they provide a concrete plan to immediately recall 300 to 350 laid-off workers at the Hamilton steel plant. The dispute follows recent layoffs and public remarks by Cleveland-Cliffs CEO Lourenco Goncalves regarding the rationale behind the 2024 acquisition. Minister Joly is evaluating potential legal action for non-compliance with undertakings under the Investment Canada Act, which require maintaining unionized employee levels at 2024 figures through 2029.

U.S. steel CEO's 'confessions' for buying Stelco prompted government to call its lawyers: industry minister

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-28 16:11:32.0
Tags: [National, Ontario, Industry, Labour, Trade, Economy]

Federal Industry Minister Mélanie Joly stated that department lawyers were consulted following public comments by Cleveland-Cliffs CEO Lourenco Goncalves regarding the acquisition of Hamilton-based steelmaker Stelco. Goncalves admitted in a media interview that Cleveland-Cliffs purchased Stelco in 2024 specifically to prevent it from undercutting U.S. production facilities, prompting Ottawa to review potential legal consequences under the Investment Canada Act. The federal government previously issued a 15-day ultimatum to Cleveland-Cliffs demanding the reversal of announced layoffs at Stelco to maintain unionized employment levels agreed upon through 2029, threatening court action that could include financial penalties or forced divestment.

The owner of Ace Liquor and Spiritleaf raises its bet on U.S. cannabis, as its manufacturing arm faces a strategic review

Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
Date: 2026-10-28 11:00:16.0
Tags: [Alberta, British Columbia, Economy, Industry, Labour, Trade]

Edmonton-based retailer SNDL Inc., owner of Ace Liquor, Value Buds, and Spiritleaf, is conducting a strategic review and weighing the potential sale of its unprofitable Canadian cannabis production assets while exiting the dried flower business. The company reported a $52-million write-down and a 28 per cent year-over-year sales drop in its weed production segment, alongside cutting its workforce at its Kelowna, British Columbia manufacturing facility by more than 30 per cent. Simultaneously, SNDL invested $60.8 million into the United States market, acquiring approximately a 92 per cent stake in a partnership controlling Parallel, an American cannabis grower and retailer operating over 50 locations across Florida, Texas, and Massachusetts.

Smaller airlines ask Transport Canada for pilots' shifts to last up to 14 hours

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-28 08:00:00.0
Tags: [National, Transportation, Labour, Industry]

At least 18 northern and regional air carriers, including Air Inuit, Air North, and Nolinor Aviation, have petitioned Transport Canada for regulatory exemptions to extend pilots' maximum daily flight duty period from 13 to 14 hours and weekly limits from 60 to 70 hours, while allowing up to 210 hours over a 28-day period. The carriers, represented by the Northern Air Transportation Association, argue that the stricter 2020 federal flight rules fail to accommodate northern weather unpredictability and infrastructure limitations, which lead to severe travel disruptions. The Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA Canada) strongly opposes the changes, warning that increased shift lengths will elevate pilot fatigue to dangerous levels and jeopardize flight safety. Federal Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon's office stated that Transport Canada officials are currently reviewing the draft regulatory files.

Stelco owner says he could sell plant next year after becoming 'persona non grata in Canada'

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-27 23:34:42.0
Tags: [National, Ontario, Trade, Labour, Industry]

Cleveland-Cliffs CEO Lourenco Goncalves announced that he is willing to sell the Hamilton-based steel plant Stelco next year following a legal dispute with the federal government over Investment Canada Act obligations. Federal Industry Minister Mélanie Joly threatened legal action and potential monetary penalties or divestment after Stelco announced 300 to 350 layoffs in September, violating undertakings to maintain unionized staffing levels at 2024 baselines through 2029. While Cleveland-Cliffs maintains it is in full compliance and that the cuts are necessary due to U.S. steel tariffs, Minister Joly stated that potential buyers are already interested in Stelco's Canadian assets.

Alberta government to end DEI public sector hiring

Source: Global News Politics
Date: 2026-10-27 21:37:20.0
Tags: [Alberta, Governance, Labour, Education]

The Alberta government tabled a new legislative bill under Premier Danielle Smith to prohibit public bodies—including public agencies, Crown corporations, post-secondary schools, school boards, and municipalities—from utilizing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies in hiring decisions. The proposed legislation mandates that hiring must be based strictly on merit and qualifications. Furthermore, the bill prohibits public bodies from implementing mandatory DEI training for staff unless deemed strictly necessary for the job, and government officials indicated that the policy may eventually extend to non-profit agencies receiving government grants through future regulations.

Legislative Amendments Proposed to Strengthen Administration of Fair Registration Practices Act

Source: Newfoundland & Labrador - Government Releases
Date: 2026-10-27 19:55:05.0
Tags: [Newfoundland and Labrador, Labour, Governance, Immigration]

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, through Minister of Jobs, Growth and Rural Development Lin Paddock, introduced legislative amendments to the Fair Registration Practices Act on October 27, 2026. The proposed changes shift the list of regulated bodies covered by the legislation into regulations, streamlining the process to add or remove regulatory bodies and reduce administrative red tape. This reform aims to help the province respond more rapidly to labour mobility commitments, interprovincial credential recognition, and workforce demands for internationally educated and out-of-province professionals without requiring statutory legislative amendments. The amendments preserve the core mandate of the act and the authority of regulatory bodies to establish and assess professional qualifications and public protection standards.

C-222 (45-1) - Relieving Grieving Parents of an Administrative Burden Act (Evan's Law)

Source: Parliament of Canada (LEGISinfo)
Date: 2026-10-27 19:44:40.0
Tags: [National, Labour, Social Services, Governance]

Bill C-222, titled the Relieving Grieving Parents of an Administrative Burden Act (Evan's Law) and sponsored by Liberal MP Terry Beech, proposes amendments to the Employment Insurance Act and the Canada Labour Code regarding the death of a child. The Private Member's Bill passed second reading unanimously with 331 votes in the House of Commons on February 4, 2026, received amendments from the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons and Disabilities (HUMA) in April 2026, and advanced to third reading debate on October 27, 2026.

'Undermining the very profession': Alberta Teachers' Association gives province straight Ds one year after historic strike

Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
Date: 2026-10-27 19:34:36.0
Tags: [Alberta, Education, Labour, Governance]

One year after the 23-day strike by 51,000 teachers that ended with the provincial passage of Bill 2 (the Back to School Act), Alberta Teachers' Association President Jason Schilling gave the Government of Alberta straight Ds regarding class sizes, complexity, and teacher salaries. Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides countered that the 2026 provincial budget allocated a record $10.8 billion to education—a $722 million increase from 2025—and noted the hiring of over 2,100 new teachers, including 566 staff for complexity teams. Schilling maintained that classrooms remain overcrowded, citing instances of 37 students in a single high school class, and argued the province has fallen short of the 5,000 new teachers needed.

Canada-EU summit will kick off formal talks on closer ties: Carney

Source: Global News Politics
Date: 2026-10-27 17:05:20.0
Tags: [National, Trade, Economy, Labour, Resources, Mining]

Prime Minister Mark Carney is meeting with European Union President Ursula von der Leyen and other EU officials in Montreal for a summit launching formal negotiations on an enhanced alliance and deeper partnership over the next year. The talks follow the 10th anniversary of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and encompass specialized labour mobility, potential Canadian participation in the Erasmus+ student exchange program, and critical minerals collaboration to reduce reliance on China. Additionally, the European Investment Bank has applied for an exemption from Canadian foreign banking rules to operate domestically as part of the critical minerals framework.

Cleveland-Cliffs says Stelco in 'full compliance' with commitments to Ottawa, wants to meet with Joly

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-27 12:14:41.0
Tags: [National, Ontario, Trade, Labour, Industry, Economy]

Ohio-based parent company Cleveland-Cliffs announced that Stelco is in full compliance with its 34 undertakings under the Investment Canada Act, following a demand letter from Industry Minister Mélanie Joly giving the company a 15-day deadline to reverse 300 to 350 layoffs in Hamilton and 50 layoffs at the Lake Erie Works in Nanticoke. Despite Cleveland-Cliffs citing U.S. tariffs and the need to ensure company survival for the cutbacks, Joly rejected the rationale and stated that market changes do not relieve the company of its binding commitments. Cleveland-Cliffs requested a meeting with Minister Joly and CEO Lourenco Goncalves to discuss resuming full employment for the affected workers, though the minister has not yet responded.

Changes to temporary foreign worker rules leave some P.E.I. farms short-staffed this harvest

Source: Prince Edward Island - Regional News
Date: 2026-10-27 09:00:00.0
Tags: [Prince Edward Island, Labour, Agriculture, Immigration]

Changes to federal temporary foreign worker requirements enacted at the end of 2025 removed agricultural exemptions for local job advertising, resulting in severe processing delays and staff shortages for P.E.I. farms during the harvest season. Agricultural operations such as Bunny Burrow Vegetable Co. faced delayed arrivals—with seasonal workers arriving in July instead of April—after multiple LMIA application rejections and multi-week resubmission cycles. Stakeholders including Andrea McKenna and Donald Killorn of the P.E.I. Federation of Agriculture have called on Ottawa to streamline the application process, provide regional agency support for smaller farms, introduce more flexible work permit transfers between farms, and expand the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program to additional countries.

Saskatchewan Launches New Respiratory Therapy Training Program

Source: Saskatchewan - Government News
Date: 2026-10-27 02:00:00.0
Tags: [Saskatchewan, Healthcare, Education, Labour]

The Government of Saskatchewan has invested over $8 million to develop and launch the province's first-ever Respiratory Therapy Advanced Diploma program at Saskatchewan Polytechnic's Regina campus. The funding supported renovations to create two new specialized laboratories and purchase modern equipment for the facility. The inaugural cohort welcomed its full capacity of 25 students this fall, who will complete a two-and-a-half-year program including hands-on clinical placements within Saskatchewan health care settings. This initiative is part of the broader Health Human Resource Action Plan and Patients First Health Care Plan to address provincial workforce shortages.

Ontario Funding More Than 2,900 Additional Seats in Northeast Ontario to Prepare Students for In-Demand Careers

Source: Ontario - Ministry of Colleges and Universities
Date: 2026-10-26 20:30:00.0
Tags: [Ontario, Education, Labour, Healthcare, Economy]

The Ontario government is investing $60 million to fund 2,946 additional postsecondary seats across eight institutions in Northeast Ontario, including Algoma University, Nipissing University, Collège Boréal, Sault College, Northern College, Canadore College, Cambrian College, and Université de Hearst. This funding is part of a broader $1.7 billion investment supporting more than 70,000 new seats province-wide in high-demand sectors such as STEM, health care, education, and trades, with enrollment beginning in the fall 2026 academic year. The initiative is designed to address regional labour market needs and develop a highly skilled workforce within the postsecondary sector.

Provincial Government Releases Core Staffing Review

Source: Newfoundland & Labrador - Government Releases
Date: 2026-10-26 18:30:12.0
Tags: [Newfoundland and Labrador, Healthcare, Labour, Governance]

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador released a core staffing review conducted by Deloitte Inc. that evaluates minimum staffing levels and skill mixes across six Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services sites, including Community Health Mount Pearl Square and the Health Sciences Centre. The report outlines 21 recommendations focused on enabling staff to work to full value, stabilizing core staffing, transitioning to forecasted staffing models, and reducing structural loads. Minister of Health and Community Services Joedy Wall announced that the government is collaborating with the Registered Nurses’ Union Newfoundland and Labrador, NAPE, and CUPE to review the recommendations.

Solu Med inc. de Montréal perd son autorisation de contracter et est inscrite au RENA

Source: Quebec - Fil de presse gouvernemental
Date: 2026-10-26 11:59:00.0
Tags: [Quebec, Healthcare, Labour, Governance, Public Safety]

The Autorité des marchés publics has revoked the contracting authorization of Solu Med inc., a Montreal-based nursing personnel placement agency. Consequently, the company has been officially registered in Quebec's Registre des entreprises non admissibles aux contrats publics (RENA), barring it from participating in public sector contracts.