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Carney government to study new major projects bill with tool last used in Harper era
Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-09-25 20:34:29.0
Tags: [National, Infrastructure, Economy, Labour, Governance, Indigenous]The federal government led by Prime Minister Mark Carney introduced Bill C-39, a 244-page omnibus bill titled the Building Canada Strong Act designed to fast-track major economic development projects and address labour disruptions across 24 different acts and regulations. Government House leader Steven MacKinnon announced that the bill will be referred to a specialized "legislative committee"—a parliamentary mechanism last used by the federal government under Prime Minister Stephen Harper in 2012 for Bill C-11. The legislation has drawn criticism from organized labour, environmental groups, and the Assembly of First Nations over proposed alterations to consultation practices, impact assessments, and the Canada Labour Code. While opposition parties intend to scrutinize the bill and propose amendments in committee, the governing Liberals hold a majority to pass the legislation in the House of Commons.
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Facing criticism, Carney says he has a 'very clear mandate' to push through major economic changes
Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-09-22 22:42:07.0
Tags: [National, Economy, Labour, Infrastructure, Governance]Prime Minister Mark Carney's government has tabled Bill C-39, a 246-page omnibus bill entitled the Building Canada Strong Act, which establishes a strict one-year timeline for federal project reviews managed through the Major Projects Office. The legislation amends Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code to explicitly empower the labour minister to direct an end to work stoppages in federally regulated workplaces if the action adversely affects the national interest. The provisions have drawn strong criticism from organized labour groups, including the Canadian Labour Congress led by Bea Bruske and the NDP led by Avi Lewis, who argue the wording threatens the constitutional right to strike, while industry associations such as the Business Council of Alberta praised the measures for cutting red tape and ensuring supply chain stability.
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Why a plan to end strikes impacting ‘national interest’ is drawing criticism
Source: Global News Politics
Date: 2026-09-22 20:31:21.0
Tags: [National, Labour, Economy, Governance, Trade]The federal government has proposed Bill C-39, titled the Building Canada Strong Act, which amends Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code to grant the federal labour minister the authority to end legal strikes and order binding arbitration if a work stoppage adversely affects the national interest. The legislation introduces a special mediator role and establishes broad criteria regarding economic impact and social disruption to guide the minister's intervention. Labour organizations, including the Canadian Labour Congress represented by President Bea Bruske and legal counsel Mark Rowlinson, have strongly criticized the bill as an anti-democratic restriction on the right to strike, while business groups like the Canadian Chamber of Commerce support the additional dispute-resolution tools.
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Public Advisory: Help Shape Newfoundland and Labrador’s Population Growth Strategy
Source: Newfoundland & Labrador - Government Releases
Date: 2026-09-22 12:30:26.0
Tags: [Newfoundland and Labrador, Economy, Labour, Immigration, Governance]The Department of Jobs, Growth and Rural Development of Newfoundland and Labrador has launched a public consultation process to inform the development of a new population growth strategy. Operating through the EngageNL platform and accepting direct email submissions until October 11, 2026, the strategy focuses on four main pillars: growing the workforce, growing families, growing regions, and growing in-migration. Additionally, targeted questionnaires are being distributed to municipal governments, Indigenous governments and organizations, and provincial employers to gather diverse perspectives on regional economic and population development.
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A consequential fall begins with familiar concerns and a new test for the Carney government
Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-09-21 22:49:01.0
Tags: [National, Economy, Trade, Labour, Infrastructure, Governance]Prime Minister Mark Carney's government convened the House of Commons for the fall 2026 legislative sitting, highlighting the newly tabled 243-page Bill C-39, titled the Building Canada Strong Act. Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon described the legislation as the government's most significant economic bill to date, encompassing major adjustments to environmental regulations, impact assessments, and labour laws, including provisions altering the Canada Labour Code. The omnibus legislation drew immediate criticism from opposition parties and labour representatives, who alleged the measures threaten the right to strike and weaken accountability in collective bargaining. Concurrently, the Official Opposition, led by Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, challenged the government's economic record and handling of cost-of-living pressures during Question Period, while the Carney administration continued navigating ongoing trade tensions and international economic adjustments.
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House of Commons returns for fall sitting after turbulent summer
Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-09-21 16:59:49.0
Tags: [National, Economy, Trade, Taxation, Governance, Labour]The House of Commons resumes its fall sitting under Prime Minister Mark Carney, with the legislative agenda dominated by U.S.-Canada trade tensions and retaliatory tariffs following the collapse of trade talks. The federal government plans to introduce a productivity "mega-deduction" allowing companies to expense total capital investments, balance the day-to-day operating budget by next year, and advance Bill C-31 to implement 2025 budget tax and defence procurement provisions. Additional legislative priorities include extending the excise tax holiday on gasoline, streamlining major project reviews, modifying the Labour Code, and progressing left-over spring bills concerning under-16 social media restrictions, First Nations drinking water frameworks, and corporate data privacy rules.
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House of Commons is back as Liberals vow ‘significant’ legislation coming
Source: Global News Politics
Date: 2026-09-21 12:19:28.0
Tags: [National, Economy, Trade, Taxation, Labour, Governance]As the House of Commons resumes the fall sitting, Prime Minister Mark Carney and Government House leader Steven MacKinnon have announced plans to introduce significant economic legislation and major changes to the federal labour code. Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne is preparing to introduce a bill extending relief for the excise tax on fuel alongside an upcoming fall budget. Meanwhile, the federal government faces escalating cross-border trade tensions and tariff disputes with the United States administration under President Donald Trump after trade talks stalled.
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C-266 (45-1) - National Framework on Skilled Trades and Labour Mobility Act
Source: Parliament of Canada (LEGISinfo)
Date: 2026-09-21 11:08:16.0
Tags: [National, Labour, Trade, Economy, Governance]Bill C-266, titled the National Framework on Skilled Trades and Labour Mobility Act, is a Private Member's Bill sponsored by Liberal Member of Parliament Parm Bains representing Richmond East—Steveston. The legislation completed its first reading in the House of Commons on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, and is currently undergoing debate at second reading following major speeches delivered on April 23, 2026, and September 21, 2026. The proposed framework aims to address and streamline interprovincial credentials, barriers, and standards within the Canadian skilled trades and labour market, aligning with provisions under Chapter Seven of the Canadian Free Trade Agreement.
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Feds set to make major changes to Canada’s labour code
Source: Global News Politics
Date: 2026-09-20 17:45:20.0
Tags: [National, Labour, Economy, Governance]The Liberal federal government is expected to propose major legislative changes to the Canada Labour Code during the fall sitting of Parliament, focusing on altering the government's power to intervene in strikes and lockouts under Section 107. Government House Leader Steven MacKinnon and Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu stated the goal is to make achieving collective agreements easier and reduce the frequency of government intervention in work stoppages, while critics such as Canadian Labour Congress President Bea Bruske warned that any new power to restrict legal strikes would weaken workers' rights. Additionally, Prime Minister Mark Carney introduced the broader "Building Canada Strong Act" aimed at streamlining federal project approvals to a "one project, one review, one year" framework.
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MPs are heading back to Parliament Hill. Here's what to watch this sitting
Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-09-20 08:00:00.0
Tags: [National, Economy, Taxation, Trade, Labour, Governance]As Parliament returns for the fall 2026 sitting, Prime Minister Mark Carney's majority government faces a legislative agenda focused on economic growth, upcoming federal budget measures, and trade developments involving the United States and the European Union. Key legislative items include the Building Canada Strong Act to streamline major project reviews, Bill C-31 implementing 2025 budget provisions, tax policy initiatives including a productivity mega-deduction, and amendments to the Labour Code affecting the Canada Industrial Relations Board regarding high-risk work stoppages in export industries. The Liberals hold 173 seats in the House of Commons alongside six vacant seats, while managing ongoing trade fallout with the U.S. administration and proposed closer economic alliances with the European Union.
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Liberals looking to give minister explicit authority to end strikes: sources
Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-09-19 00:23:09.0
Tags: [National, Labour, Economy, Transportation, Governance]The Liberal government plans to introduce the Building Canada Strong Act, which will amend Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code to explicitly grant the federal labour minister the authority to direct the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) to end work stoppages and order binding arbitration. The proposed legislation also empowers the labour minister to appoint a special mediator to issue reports prior to invoking Section 107 as a last resort in high-potential disruptive labour disputes affecting critical export industries like ports, railways, and aviation. The changes follow previous government interventions in disputes involving companies and unions such as Teamsters, Air Canada, and Canadian National and Canadian Pacific railways. While the government states the amendments aim to provide economic stability and private sector confidence without stripping the right to strike, unions have criticized the heavy-handed approach for undermining collective bargaining and violating worker rights.
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Tariff fight looms over Nova Scotia legislature’s return
Source: Nova Scotia - Halifax & Regional News
Date: 2026-09-08 22:14:40.0
Tags: [Nova Scotia, Economy, Trade, Labour, Governance, Mining]As the Nova Scotia legislature convened for its fall sitting at Province House, the economy, U.S. trade tariffs, and workers' rights dominated legislative debate. Premier Tim Houston's government faced questioning regarding retaliatory Canadian tariffs on American goods, with Finance Minister John Lohr confirming that the province's $50 million tariff relief contingency fund has not yet been tapped despite ongoing consultations with affected supply chains. Concurrently, the provincial government tabled legislation to lower the overtime threshold from 48 hours to 44 hours a week, drawing criticism from opposition leaders who noted it lags behind other jurisdictions. Outside Province House, demonstrators gathered to protest unilateral policy decisions, specifically demanding the reinstatement of the provincial uranium mining ban following a petition containing over 10,000 signatures.
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N.S. tables bill to increase protection for some workers
Source: Nova Scotia - Halifax & Regional News
Date: 2026-09-08 19:39:07.0
Tags: [Nova Scotia, Labour, Economy, Governance]The Nova Scotia government, led by Labour Minister Nolan Young, has tabled legislation to increase worker protections by reducing the overtime threshold from 48 hours to 44 hours per week. The bill introduces measures to guard against tip theft, expands overtime eligibility to cover voluntary extra hours, and provides new tools for the government to recover unpaid earnings. However, the proposed protections exclude workers in the construction and agriculture sectors. The overtime and tip protection rules are scheduled to take effect on April 1, while wage recovery measures will be implemented through separate regulations.
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Minister’s statement about Committee on Internal Trade meeting
Source: British Columbia - Government News
Date: 2026-08-28 15:38:00.0
Tags: [British Columbia, National, Trade, Labour, Economy, Governance]Federal, provincial, and territorial trade ministers met on August 27, 2026, to ratify amendments to the Canadian Free Trade Agreement establishing a 30-day service standard for labour mobility applications. Ministers committed to signing an agreement by the end of 2026 for the free trade of services and accelerated work on model mutual-recognition legislation by fall 2026. British Columbia previously advanced this domestic trade agenda by passing the Trade Recognition Act (Bill 5) in February 2026, signing a direct-to-consumer alcohol sales agreement targeting implementation by February 2027, and collaborating on the Canadian Mutual Recognition Agreement on the Sale of Goods in November 2025.
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