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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Nearly half of staff in N.W.T. and Yukon could be affected by layoffs: Parks Canada
Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-10-24 00:11:21.0
Tags: [National, Environment, Labour, Governance]Parks Canada is undergoing a workforce adjustment requiring the agency to absorb nearly $145 million in budget reductions over the next three years following a federal comprehensive expenditure review. Across the country, the restructuring will eliminate the equivalent of 500 full-time jobs, with nearly 3,000 employees receiving workforce adjustment notices. In the North, 67 of 147 staff in the Northwest Territories and 58 of 137 staff in the Yukon are affected, representing approximately 45 per cent of Parks Canada's workforce in those two territories.
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Canada Post CEO touts ‘early signs’ of recovery even as financial woes persist
Source: Global News Politics
Date: 2026-10-22 21:45:13.0
Tags: [National, Economy, Finance, Labour, Transportation]Canada Post CEO Doug Ettinger announced early signs of financial recovery at the Crown corporation's annual public meeting, citing a reduced pre-tax loss of $277 million in the second quarter of the year compared to $407 million the previous year. To address structural challenges, Canada Post is phasing out door-to-door delivery for four million addresses over five years in favor of community mailboxes—targeting 700,000 households by the end of 2027—and launching a direct-to-consumer online marketplace named Canada Shops. These operational overhauls follow the federal government's adoption of recommendations from an Industrial Inquiry Commission led by William Kaplan, which lifted a moratorium on new community mailboxes and rural post office closures.
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Canada Post starting weekend parcel delivery in Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa this fall
Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-22 19:44:37.0
Tags: [National, Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, Alberta, Labour, Transportation, Finance]Canada Post has launched weekend parcel delivery in Ottawa and Montreal, with plans to expand to Toronto in late November 2026 and to Vancouver, Edmonton, and Calgary the following year, aiming to reach seven million households by the end of 2027. The Crown corporation reported a pre-tax loss of $482 million in the first half of 2026 and continues to rely on federal loans, though parcel revenue grew by 20.7 percent year-over-year in the second quarter. This operational restructuring follows a month-long national strike in December 2024 and the signing of a new collective agreement with the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) that remains in effect until 2030.
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C-247 (45-1) - An Act to amend the Canada Labour Code
Source: Parliament of Canada (LEGISinfo)
Date: 2026-10-22 14:25:16.0
Tags: [National, Labour, Governance]Bill C-247, titled An Act to amend the Canada Labour Code, is a Private Member's Bill sponsored by NDP Member of Parliament Leah Gazan representing Winnipeg Centre. The legislative initiative was introduced and completed first reading in the House of Commons on October 6, 2025, and subsequently reached second reading, with major debate sessions occurring on May 27, 2026, and October 22, 2026. The bill is currently at the second reading stage in the House of Commons, receiving commentary from Liberal, Conservative, and Bloc Québécois representatives.
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Ottawa gives Stelco 15 days to reverse Hamilton layoffs or face lawsuit
Source: Global News Politics
Date: 2026-10-22 14:16:39.0
Tags: [National, Ontario, Industry, Labour, Trade]Federal Industry Minister Melanie Joly issued a 15-day ultimatum to Stelco's U.S. parent company, Cleveland-Cliffs, demanding the reversal of layoffs affecting up to 500 workers at the Hamilton steel plant or face federal legal action. The government asserts that the layoffs violate a 2024 binding agreement stipulating that the average aggregate annual full-time equivalent employment of unionized employees in Canada would remain at 1,766 (100% of the baseline level ending June 30, 2024) through 2029. While court action could potentially force the company to sell its Canadian operations, senior government sources acknowledge that judicial timelines may be too slow to immediately protect current staffing levels in Hamilton.
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Minister giving Stelco owner 15 days to reverse layoffs before turning to the courts
Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-22 14:15:00.0
Tags: [National, Ontario, Industry, Trade, Labour, Economy]Federal Industry Minister Mélanie Joly issued a 15-day demand letter to Ohio-based parent company Cleveland-Cliffs, threatening legal action under Section 40 of the Investment Canada Act if it does not reverse planned temporary layoffs of up to 500 workers at the Hamilton-based Stelco steel facility. The federal government asserts that the layoffs violate binding commitments made during Cleveland-Cliffs' 2024 acquisition of Stelco to maintain unionized and non-unionized employment levels through 2029. While Cleveland-Cliffs blamed the workforce reductions on U.S. steel tariffs aimed at ensuring the company's survival, Minister Joly dismissed market conditions as a valid reason to break binding investment commitments and warned that legal proceedings could include monetary penalties and a forced divestment from Stelco.
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Premier Ford and Prime Minister Carney Launch New Action Plan to Protect Workers from Tariffs and Strengthen Ontario Industries
Source: Ontario - Premier's Office
Date: 2026-10-21 19:30:00.0
Tags: [National, Ontario, Economy, Trade, Labour, Industry, Infrastructure, Mining, Energy]The Government of Ontario and the Government of Canada announced a combined $8.7 billion action plan to protect workers and industries from U.S. tariffs. The package includes the Joint Steel Action Fund with $3.55 billion from the federal government and $1.67 billion from Ontario, an additional $2.5 billion over two years for large-scale automotive capital projects (up to $1.5 billion federal and $1 billion provincial), and a federal commitment of up to $1 billion over three years for essential road infrastructure in Northern Ontario’s Ring of Fire region. Additionally, light-duty vehicle greenhouse gas regulations will be maintained at 2026 levels (172 grams per mile) through 2029 to provide trade-related relief to the automotive sector.
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Premier Ford and Prime Minister Carney Launch New Action Plan to Protect Workers from Tariffs and Strengthen Ontario Industries
Source: Ontario - Premier's Office
Date: 2026-10-21 19:00:00.0
Tags: [National, Ontario, Economy, Trade, Labour, Industry, Mining, Infrastructure]Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Prime Minister Mark Carney announced an $8.7 billion joint action plan to protect workers and industries from U.S. tariffs and global uncertainty. The initiative establishes a $5.22 billion Joint Steel Action Fund ($3.55 billion federal, $1.67 billion provincial), a $2.5 billion automotive manufacturing capital upgrade fund ($1.5 billion federal, $1.0 billion provincial), and a $1 billion federal matching investment for road infrastructure in Northern Ontario's Ring of Fire region. Furthermore, the plan creates bilateral task forces for steel, automotive, and critical minerals, implements tighter trade remedies through the Canada Border Services Agency, and leverages Buy Canadian and Buy Ontario procurement policies.
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Carney and Ford set to announce support for workers amid trade war
Source: Global News Politics
Date: 2026-10-21 14:47:20.0
Tags: [National, Ontario, Trade, Labour, Industry, Economy]Prime Minister Mark Carney and Ontario Premier Doug Ford are set to announce joint support measures for workers and industries impacted by ongoing United States tariffs. The announcement follows imminent layoffs at Stelco's Hamilton plant after pressure from U.S. tariffs forced production to concentrate at the Lake Erie Works plant in Haldimand. Industry Minister Melanie Joly stated that the federal government is pursuing potential financial penalties and forced divestiture under the Investment Canada Act due to multiple breaches of commitments by Stelco. Additionally, Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne announced that the federal budget will be released on November 5, 2026, following lowered economic growth projections by the Parliamentary Budget Officer of 0.9 per cent for 2026 and 1.5 per cent for 2027.
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CRA awards $12M contract to subsidiary of U.S. company over non-profit Commissionaires
Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-20 21:21:30.0
Tags: [National, Public Safety, Labour, Governance]The Canada Revenue Agency awarded a $12 million security contract to Universal Protection Service of Canada Corporation—a subsidiary of Allied Universal Security Services—over the non-profit organization Commissionaires, following a competitive bidding process where the price difference was less than one per cent or $80,000. The decision drew criticism from opposition MPs including Conservative Michael Barrett and NDP Gord Johns regarding the bypassing of the veteran-employing Commissionaires in favor of a foreign-owned corporation with ties to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Secretary of State for the Canada Revenue Agency Wayne Long defended the independent procurement process, stating it resulted in a qualified Canadian supplier without political interference.
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Nackawic mill workers and union push for government action as shutdown looms
Source: New Brunswick - Regional News
Date: 2026-10-16 20:51:04.0
Tags: [New Brunswick, National, Labour, Industry, Trade, Resources]AV Group NB Inc. announced it will temporarily idle the AV Nackawic Mill in New Brunswick on November 4 due to prevailing market conditions and trade pressures, placing roughly 240 unionized workers and 300 to 350 direct jobs at risk. In response, Unifor leadership and local union representatives are pushing for government intervention, including a national forestry strategy, a joint government task force, a provincial modernization review, and keeping the facility heated through the winter. Premier Susan Holt stated that the Government of New Brunswick is working with AV Group NB Inc. and municipal officials to explore employment alternatives and facility uses while Working NB assists affected employees with federal and provincial benefits.
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