• 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.

  Read Original

• 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.

  Read Original

• 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.

  Read Original

• 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.

  Read Original

• 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.

  Read Original

• 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.

  Read Original

• 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.

  Read Original

• 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.

  Read Original