Category Archives: Labour
With start of meetings on EI review, businesses look for rethink of parental leave
OTTAWA — One of the largest business groups in the country says a sweeping review of the employment insurance system should consider whether to turn parental benefits into a separate program. It's an idea that has been floated previously, to hive
Most support workplace diversity but not if it’s a job qualification: national survey
REGINA — Most people in a new Canada-wide survey say equal representation in government is important, but they don't support employers taking demographic characteristics into account in hiring and promotion decisions. The survey by the Canadian Hub fo...
Arizona’s auto aspirations make for unlikely ally in Canada’s EV tax-credit fight
WASHINGTON — From its arid desert climate to its mercurial, centre-right politics, the southern border state of Arizona hardly seems to have much in common with Canada beyond winter-wary snowbirds. But President Joe Biden's controversial plan to use p...
Key sectors facing staffing struggles amid escalating pandemic
With COVID-19's latest wave showing few signs of abating concerns are deepening as more and more workers in vital sectors are sidelined by the pandemic. In Ontario where the number of COVID patients in hospital has ballooned by a factor of
Statistics Canada says economy added 55,000 jobs in December, unemployment rate 5.9%
OTTAWA — The Canadian economy added 55,000 jobs in December before COVID-19 cases began spiking at the end of the month, prompting public health restrictions that forced many businesses to close or curtail operations. Dominique Lapointe, senior econom...
COVID-19 affects eight of 20 firefighters in Prince Rupert, B.C.
VANCOUVER — More than half of the firefighters in Prince Rupert, B.C., who were off sickthis week are at the forefront of a wave of workers expected to fall ill because of COVID-19. Firefighters, police and teachers are among those putting
Health workers, care home cooks, bus drivers: COVID cases affecting public services
Public sectors across the country are facing staff shortages as Canada continues to face record-breaking COVID-19 case numbers and hospitalizations related to the highly transmissible Omicron variant. Quebec Health Minister Christian Dubé said Thursda...
Bring back hazard pay for supermarket workers facing extra risks from Omicron: NDP MP
OTTAWA — Grocery stores are being urged to reinstate hazard pay for workers facing extra health and safety risks from the highly contagious Omicron variant. The federal NDP critic for economic development has written to the heads of Canada's biggest s...
B.C.’s top doctor says employers should plan now for lots of sick workers
VANCOUVER — British Columbia's provincial health officer is advising businesses to put contingency plans in place to continue operating as up to one-third of their staff could be off sick with the Omicron variant of COVID-19. Dr. Bonnie Henry said Tues...
Both sides claim victory after ruling sides with U.S. over Canadian dairy quotas
WASHINGTON — Dairy industry advocates and trade officials in the United States celebrated a rare win over Canada on Tuesday after a panel of arbitrators agreed that America's northern neighbour is denying U.S. producers their fair share of access to