Canada: Health & Safety

Employers may have a duty to investigate workplace harassment even where no official or formal complaint has been made. If an employer becomes aware of potentially inappropriate conduct – whether through an informal...

Has a situation between two employees seemingly been resolved? According to the Administrative Labour Tribunal, this does not relieve an employer of its obligation to intervene.

When an employee's off-duty misconduct affects a colleague, employers face complex questions about their authority and obligations.

Until recently, the obligation to maintain services during a labour dispute was limited to essential services, or those services that, if they were unavailable, would compromise public health or safety. As a result of Law 14, the regulatory system has been expanded to include the services minimally required to prevent a disproportionate impact on the social, economic or environmental security of the population, and in particular that of persons in vulnerable situations.

Jusqu'à récemment, l'obligation de maintien de services en cas de conflit de travail se limitait aux services essentiels, c'est‑à‑dire à ceux dont l'absence était de nature à compromettre la santé ou la sécurité publiques. Dorénavant, de par la Loi 14, ce régime est élargi pour inclure les services minimalement nécessaires à la prévention d'une atteinte disproportionnée à la sécurité sociale, économique ou environnementale de la population, en particulier des personnes en situation de vulnérabil

The duty to accommodate a disability may feel like a burden to some employers. It prevents them from applying a one-size-fits-all approach to employees and the workplace. However, with a better understanding of the duty and a framework for approaching accommodation requests, employers may find the process clearer, more predictable, and far less burdensome than anticipated.

In December 2025, the Québec government enacted substantial amendments to the Labour Code (L.C.), giving itself broader authority to regulate the right to strike when strike action could significantly impact the well-being of the population.

The estimated total cost of work on a construction site is a key factor in determining the extent of the principal contractor's health and safety obligations.

Osler's Legislative Update is a bi-weekly listing of new legislation. This issue covers legislation for the period 03/05 to 03/18.