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Budget 2023: Ottawa banning use of replacement workers during strikes, lockouts under Canada Labour Code

The federal government is going to ban the use of replacement workers during strikes and lockouts.

It made the announcement as part of Budget 2023, promising to table amendments to the Canada Labour Code. The changes would only apply to federally regulated workplaces covered by the code.

“The ability to form a union, bargain collectively, and strike is essential to a healthy democracy. These important rights can be undermined when an employer brings in replacement workers to temporarily do the work of unionized workers during a strike or lockout,” the budget document states.

“Budget 2023 proposes to table amendments to the Canada Labour Code, before the end of 2023, that would prohibit the use of replacement workers during a strike or lockout, and improve the process to review activities that must be maintained to ensure the health and safety of the public during a work stoppage.”