Employment Law Overview - Chapter 2 to 4

A type of legislation introduced by a Cabinet minister responsible for a specific subject matter.

The first stage of the legislative process where a bill is introduced to the legislature.

The second stage of the legislative process where the elected members of the legislature debate the principles of the bill.

A group of legislators who review a bill before it goes to the full legislature for a vote.

A bill must successfully pass three readings in the legislature to become a provincial statute.

These acts outline requirements for safe workplaces, preventing injuries and accidents.

These acts provide no-fault insurance for work-related injuries and diseases. They allow employers to limit their financial exposure by collectively funding the costs of workplace accidents.

These acts establish rules for private sector employers concerning the collection, use, and disclosure of employee information.

This act aims to address pay inequity and systemic discrimination by requiring companies to disclose salary ranges for specific roles.

This federal statute covers employment standards, collective bargaining, and health and safety for employees in nationally regulated companies like banks and airlines.

The Charter of Rights and Freedoms is a fundamental document in Canadian law that guarantees essential rights and freedoms to all Canadians. It ensures that all citizens are treated equally and fairly before the law, with protection against discrimination based on various grounds.

The Charter of Rights and Freedoms is considered the supreme law of Canada, meaning that all other laws must comply with its principles. If any law is found to violate the Charter, a court can strike down (invalidate) all or part of it.

The Charter has significantly expanded the role of courts in reviewing legislation. Before the Charter, they could only overturn laws based on lack of legislative authority. Now, they can also assess laws against the Charter's principles.

Section 15 of the Charter guarantees the right to equality before and under the law. It prohibits discrimination based on specific grounds like race, religion, sex, and disability, but also acknowledges the need for programs addressing disadvantages.

The Charter promotes 'substantive equality', meaning that laws and government actions are evaluated not just by their intent, but also their actual effect on different groups. This ensures real equality, not just formal equality.