Global Compliance Desk – Canada Federal
BILL: C-86 – FEDERAL
The Federal Bill C-86, Budget Implementation Act, 2018, No. 2, had a first reading on October 29, 2018, and would bring changes to the Canada Labour Code. The Bill is set to get implemented in January 2019.
Rest and Meal Breaks
The new amendment would entitle employees to a 30-minute unpaid break. Employees would also be entitled to at least 8 consecutive hours of rest between shifts.
Scheduling Rights
Employers would have to provide at least 96 hours’ notice of schedules to employees.
Vacation Entitlements
The amendment would remove the current exclusion for general holiday pay for holidays that occur within an employee’s first 30 days of employment with an employer. Increase in vacation and holiday pay:
- 2 weeks’ annual paid vacation after completion of 1 year of employment
- 3 weeks’ annual paid vacation after completion of 5 years of employment
- 4 weeks’ annual paid vacation after completion of 10 years of employment.
Leaves of Absence
The amendment would remove the existing service requirement that an employee complete 6 months of continuous service before being entitled to various leaves and further adds/amends the following:
- Family Violence Leave: 5 days of paid leave.
- Personal Leave: 5 days, 3 of which would be paid.
- Leave for Court and Jury Duty: Every employee who is required to attend court as a witness or as a juror would be entitled to receive unpaid leave.
