The Canadian Labour and Employment Law blog, published by Baker McKenzie, focuses on legal developments and practical guidance related to labour relations and employment law in Canada. It covers topics such as union certification processes, employer strategies for managing union activity, compliance with provincial and federal employment standards, workplace policies, termination and severance issues, pay equity, occupational health and safety, and evolving legislative changes like Ontario's Working for Workers Seven Act. The blog also addresses challenges faced by global employers operating in Canada, including navigating jurisdictional complexities and workforce reductions, providing insights to support compliance and risk management in Canadian workplaces.
As we wrap up 2025 and look forward to 2026, here are 10 key developments Canadian employers should track:
1. Termination Clause Update
In Ontario, there continues to be judicial scrutiny of employment contract termination clauses, particularly the use of…
Special thanks to our articling student Viesakan Sivaraj for contributing to this update.
1. Negotiating a First Collective Agreement in Ontario
Once a union is certified, the employer must immediately turn their attention to negotiating a first collective agreement. The…
Special thanks to our summer student Brianna Grieff for contributing to this update.
If you are an employer suddenly ambushed by a union certification application, your immediate questions are likely: what exactly is happening, and what should I do next?…
Special thanks to our summer student Brianna Grieff for contributing to this update.
With an uncertain economy amidst tariff concerns, Canadians continue to make bolder workforce demands. Although many workers have returned to pre-pandemic attitudes, notable union activity remains rampant…
In 2025, multinational giants across industries are redefining the scale and scope of global workforce reductions—with some cutting tens of thousands of jobs at a time in particular divisions, shuttering certain factories worldwide, moving to different countries, or otherwise undertaking…
As part of our newly launched Doing Business in Canada Guide 2025, Chapter 13 on Labour and Employment offers a comprehensive overview of the legal landscape that governs the Canadian workplace. Whether your organization operates under federal jurisdiction or within one…
Special thanks to our summer student Brianna Grieff for contributing to this update.
On May 28, 2025, the government of Ontario introduced Ontario’s Working for Workers Seven Act, 2025. The Bill will likely receive royal assent later this year. Although details…
Multinational employers operating in the Middle East and Africa face escalating geopolitical tension, challenging economic conditions and evolving social expectations. Our recent webinar covered how countries across MEA are responding to these pressures—and what employers need to know to stay…
We recently recorded a lively discussion with several of our Baker McKenzie colleagues to discuss the major developments impacting multinational employers operating in Europe. For your convenience, click here for a link to the recording.
To preview some of the…
In a recent conversation with our colleagues across the Americas—in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Mexico and the United States—we examined the latest developments affecting multinational employers in the region. Please click here to tune in to the recording at your…
